Combined alkyl and sulfonic acid functionalization of MCM-41-type silica -Part 1. Synthesis and characterization

Single-step synthesis of well-ordered MCM-41 materials containing simultane ously alkyl (methyl or propyl) and 3-mercaptopropyl groups has been carried out by hydrothermal treatment of gels containing a mixture of dodecyl and hexadecyltrimethylammonium surfactants. A wide range of synthesis condition s has been studied in order to optimize the pore arrangement and to vary th e alkyl/mercaptopropyl ratio of the product. A number of characterization t echniques suggest that the anchored organic fragments lined the wall channe ls of the MCM-41 in a close-packed configuration. The mercaptopropyl groups can be oxidized with hydrogen peroxide to sulfonic acid with a high retent ion of sulfur and no loss of methyl groups. (C) 2000 Academic Press.