Substituent effects on the sol-gel chemistry of organotrialkoxysilanes

Abstract

Silsesquioxanes have been the subject of intensive study in the past and are becoming important again as a vehicle for introducing organic functionalities into hybrid organic-inorganic materials through sol-gel processing. Depending on the application, the target hybrid material may be required to be a highly cross-linked, insoluble gel or a soluble polymer that can be cast as a thin film or coating. The former has applications such as catalyst supports and separations media; the latter is an economically important method for surface modification or compatiblization for applying adhesives or introducing fillers. Polysilsesquioxanes are readily prepared through the hydrolysis and condensation of organotrialkoxysilanes, though organotriaminosilane and organotrihalosilane monomers can also be used. This paper explores the kinetics of the preparation route