Biology as we know it is based on carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen forming complex molecules.  Could something similar happen (presumably at extremely high temperatures) using silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and hydrogen?

7 hours ago, mathematic said:

Biology as we know it is based on carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen forming complex molecules.  Could something similar happen (presumably at extremely high temperatures) using silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and hydrogen?

The bonding chemistry of the first collection (I won't use group because that has a special significance in Chemistry) is basically about s and p orbitals.

The second collection introduces the possibility of d orbitals as well.

Having said that, the ability of Carbon bond with itself is the basis of forming the myriad of complex molecules you refer to.

We are just beginning to explore the ability of Silicon and a few other elements to do the same.

 

Here is a short piece that may be of interest.

 

The "possibilities" are quite diverse and seem to be expanding everytime I google the subject. Boron has at least as diverse chemistry as Carbon but it's extremely low cosmic abundance make it improbable as the backbone of life. 

 https://listverse.com/2015/07/17/10-hypothetical-forms-of-life/

http://speculativeevolution.wikia.com/wiki/Alternative_biochemistry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothetical_types_of_biochemistry