ULTRASONIC ACTIVATION OF SIO2 AND GEO2 IN BASIC SOLUTIONS OF DIOLS

The sonication of silica gel in basic solutions of diols causes rapid breakdown of the inorganic polymer and the formation of monomeric sili con complexes. The tris-catecholate complex Na-2[(C6H4O2)(3)Si] is for med cleanly and in good yield at room temperature. The germanium analo gue Li-2[(C6H4O2)(3)Ge] may be formed similarly from GeO2 but TiO2 rem ains unaffected by ultrasound.