Trivalent iron complexes which could be easily converted into materials are
formed by the reaction of FeCl3 with K-3[O3SiMe] in a highly concentrated
aqueous alkaline solution. The presence of the liquid glass as an additive
and decreasing the pH results in solutions that give rise to homogeneous ge
ls. Polycondensation proceeds very rapidly in the higher pH range (viz. pH
9-10) and substantially slower in an acidic medium (pH 2-3). Xerogels were
obtained having microporous structure after treatment of polyferromethylsil
oxane gels obtained from acidic medium or mesoporous structure when obtaine
d from alkaline medium. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevi
er SAS. All rights reserved.