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

The preparation and measurements of some properties of organic-inorgan ic hybrid gels containing a transition metal atom inside a polysiloxan e network have been achieved. The organosilicon precursors chosen for this study were 1,1'-bis-silylated ferrocene derivatives. The hydrolys is and polycondensation of 1,1'-bis(trimethoxysilyl)ferrocene were per formed in different experimental conditions and produced a new organic -inorganic silica. In most cases, a precipitate formed within a few mi nutes 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 molecu lar precursor is retained within the solid without cleavage of the sil icon-carbon bond during the hydrolysis-polycondensation process. Amorp hous powders with low specific surface areas were obtained. The influe nce of the type of hydrolyzable groups at silicon has been determined in order to obtain gels. The co-condensation of 1,1'-bis(trimethoxysil yl)ferrocene with tetramethoxysilane led to hybrid silicagels.