our search for life centers on carbon because of all elements, carbon is the most flexible at linking atoms of itself to form complex structures, from the benzene ring to buckyballs. Boron and silicon have a subset of this same power, so it is remotely possible that we will eventually encounter silicon-based life out there. There is a still higher probability that we will create it ourselves.
See my Post #37. I tried posting an accompanying Periodic Chart but it didn't work for some reason. You are essentially correct, just using the wrong terminology (ie. "subset of this same power" = "chemical properties").
Google a 'Periodic Table' to check me ('C' is right above 'Si').