Figure 6.

Different bonding preferences between carbon and silicon. (a) Silanones (double-bonded Si=O functional groups), are not favored as compared to geminal silicon diols, which, in contrast to carbon germinal diols, are stable. (b) Geminal silicon diols mimic the unstable hydrated carbonyl. Silanediol analogues do not have stable carbon analogues and have potent biological functions, e.g., as protease inhibitors, which could be utilized by water-based life. Figure modified from [99].