Silicon tetrachloride is a water-reactive, toxic, corrosive, irritating, mobile, volatile, colorless to light yellow-colored fuming liquid with a sharp, pungent, suffocating odor. It is commonly used in the production of compounds such as ethyl silicate, high purity silica, various silicone compounds, fused silica glass, and other chemicals. It reacts vigorously with water, liberating heat, hydrogen chloride (which dissolves in the water to form hydrochloric acid), and siloxane.