Octadecyltrimethoxysilane is an organosilicon compound, commonly called OTMS. This colourless liquid is used for preparing hydrophobic coatings and self-assembled monolayers. It is sensitive toward water, irreversibly degrading to a siloxane polymer. It places a C18H39SiO3 "cap" on oxide surfaces. The formation of OTMS monolayers is used for converting hydrophilic surfaces to hydrophobic surfaces, e.g. for use in certain areas of nanotechnology and analytical chemistry.