SiCl₄ (l) + 2 Zn (s) → Si (s) + 2 ZnCl₂ (aq)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

Zn is a reducing agent, SiCl₄ is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

• SiCl₄ – Silicon (IV) chloride
  • Other names: Silicon tetrachloride , Tetrachlorosilane , Silicon chloride
  • Appearance: Colourless liquid ; Colourless clear fuming liquid with pungent odour
• Zn
  • Names: Zinc , Zinc powder (pyrophoric) , Zn ... show moreElement 30 , 30Zn , Cinc , Zink , Zn(ii) , Zn2+ , Zincum , Blue powder , Merrillite show less
  • Appearance: Grey-to-blue powder

Products:

• Si
  • Names: Silicon , Si , Element 14 ... show moreElemental silicon , [Note: Does not occur freely in nature, but is found in silicon dioxide (silica) and in various silicates.] show less
  • Appearance: Steel-grey crystals or black-to-brown amorphous powder ; Black to gray, lustrous, needle-like crystals. [Note: The amorphous form is a dark-brown powder.]
• ZnCl₂ – Zinc chloride
  • Other names: Zinc(II) chloride , Zinc dichloride , Butter of zinc ... show moreZinc chloride fume , Zinc chloride, anhydrous , Dichlorozinc , ZnCl2 , Zinc(II)chloride , Zinc dichloride fume show less
  • Appearance: White crystalline solid | hygroscopic and very deliquescent ; White hygroscopic odourless solid in various forms ; White particulate dispersed in air.