Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), also known as tetraethoxysilane, is a chemical compound with the formula Si(OC2H5)4. It is a commonly used precursor for the synthesis of silica-based materials. TEOS is a colorless liquid that is soluble in organic solvents and hydrolyzes readily in the presence of water, forming silicon dioxide (SiO2) and ethanol.