ORGANIC-INORGANIC HYBRID MATERIALS - HYDROLYSIS AND POLYCONDENSATION OF 1,1'-BIS-SILYLATED FERROCENE DERIVATIVES

The preparation and measurements of some properties of organic-inorganic hybrid gels containing a transition metal atom inside a polysiloxane network have been achieved. The organosilicon precursors chosen for this study were 1,1'-bis-silylated ferrocene derivatives. The hydrolysis and polycondensation of 1,1'-bis(trimethoxysilyl)ferrocene were performed in different experimental conditions and produced a new organic-inorganic silica. In most cases, a precipitate formed within a few minutes of mixing the ingredients. The IR and solid-state C-13 and Si-29 NMR spectra of the powders were measured. The structure of the molecular precursor is retained within the solid without cleavage of the silicon-carbon bond during the hydrolysis-polycondensation process. Amorphous powders with low specific surface areas were obtained. The influence of the type of hydrolyzable groups at silicon has been determined in order to obtain gels. The co-condensation of 1,1'-bis(trimethoxysilyl)ferrocene with tetramethoxysilane led to hybrid silicagels.