Lithium silicide, Li₆Si₂

By heating excess of lithium with silicon, and expelling the uncombined metal at 400° to 500° C., the Lithium silicide, Li₆Si₂ is obtained as a very hygroscopic, dark-violet, crystalline substance of density 1.12. It is a very reactive product and a powerful reducer. With concentrated hydrochloric acid it yields spontaneously inflammable silicoethane, Si₂H₆, of which it may be considered a derivative.