Abstract

Silylating agents are used to replace active hydrogens from the surface of organic materials by trisubstituted silyl groups. This procedure is effected for a variety of reasons. Simple organic compounds may be silylated for purposes of synthesis and analysis; inorganic mineral surfaces may be silylated for purposes of analysis, adhesion, and water repellence; metal oxides, glass, resins, enzymes, etc, may be silylated to effect corrosion resistance, antimicrobial activity, immobilization for catalysis, chromatography column material, waterproofing, etc. The various compounds and the methods utilized for silylation are discussed.