From its initial use to describe hydrolysis and condensation processes, the term ‘sol–gel’ is now used for a diverse range of chemistries. In fact, it is perhaps better defined more broadly as covering the synthesis of solid materials such as metal oxides from solution-state precursors. These can include metal alkoxides that crosslink to form metal–oxane gels, but also metal ion–chelate complexes or organic polymer gels containing metal species. What is important across all of these examples is how the choice of precursor can have a significant impact on the structure and composition of the solid product. In this review, we will attempt to classify different types of sol–gel precursor and how these can influence a sol–gel process, from self-assembly and ordering in the initial solution, to phase separation during the gelation process and finally to crystallographic transformations at high temperature.

/pdf/the-evolution-of-sol-gel-chemistry-as-a-technique-for-ml3j7shxr6.pdf

The evolution of 'sol-gel' chemistry as a technique for materials synthesis

Textbooks of inorganic chemistry describe the formation of adducts by coordination of an electron donor to an electron acceptor, often using the amine-boranes, X3N → BY3, as examples. In the Lewis (electron dot) formulas of the compounds, the dative bond in H3N → BH3 and the covalent bond in H3CCH3 are both represented by a shared electron pair. In the simple molecular orbital or valence bond models the wave functions of both electron pairs would be constructed in the same manner from the appropriate sp3 type atomic orbitals on the bonded atoms; the difference between the covalent and the dative bond becomes apparent only after the orbital coefficients have been analyzed. This may be the reason why many structural chemists seem reluctant to distinguish between the two types of bonds. The object of this article is to remind the reader that the physiocochemical properties of covalent and dative bonds may be – and often are – quite different, and to show that a distinction between the two provides a basis for understanding the structures of a wide range of main group metal compounds.

Covalent versus Dative Bonds to Main Group Metals, a Useful Distinction

Aliphatic cyclic carbonates and spiroorthocarbonates as monomers

Nonaqueous-solution routes to metal oxide nanoparticles are a valuable alternative to the known aqueous sol-gel processes, offering advantages such as high crystallinity at low temperatures, robust synthesis parameters and ability to control the crystal growth without the use of surfactants. In the first part of the review we give a detailed overview of the various solution routes to metal oxides in organic solvents, with a strong focus on surfactant-free processes. In most of these synthesis approaches, the organic solvent plays the role of the reactant that provides the oxygen for the metal oxide, controls the crystal growth, influences particle shape, and, in some cases, also determines the assembly behavior. We have a closer look at the following reaction systems in this order: 1) metal halides in alcohols, 2) metal alkoxides, acetates, and acetylacetonates in alcohols, 3) metal alkoxides in ketones, and 4) metal acetylacetonates in benzylamine. All these systems offer some peculiarities with respect to each other, providing many possibilities to control and tailor the particle size and shape, as well as the surface and assembly properties. In the second part we present general mechanistic principles for aqueous and nonaqueous sol-gel processes, followed by the discussion of reaction pathways relevant for nanoparticle formation in organic solvents. Depending on the system several mechanisms have been postulated: 1) alkyl halide elimination, 2) elimination of organic ethers, 3) ester elimination, 4) C--C bond formation between benzylic alcohols and alkoxides, 5) ketimine and aldol-like condensation reactions, 6) oxidation of metal nanoparticles, and 7) thermal decomposition methods.

Organic reaction pathways in the nonaqueous synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles.

Structural and functional evolution of metallacrowns.

Physico-chemical and structural investigation of aluminium isopropoxide

Molybdenum and tungsten (VI) bimetallic alkoxides. Decomposition accompanied by dialkylether elimination

Bimetallic alkoxides of niobium

Direct electrochemical synthesis of metal alkoxides

Hydrolysis of molybdenum and tungsten alkoxides of the two series MO(OEt)4 and MO2(OEt)2 (M = Mo, W) has been studied. Hydrolysis products and the partially hydrolyzed solutions have been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, IR, electron spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. Preparation of stable sols is reported and their structures are discussed in terms of a fractal model. While ‘tungsten solutions’ may be described as typical polymeric sols, ‘molybdenum solutions’ should be regarded as particulate sols. The reason for this difference has its origin in the structures of alkoxides and mechanisms of their hydrolysis. Sols were used for the preparation of electrochromic and photochromic films by spin-coating techniques. A coloration mechanism is discussed in terms of the percolation model. Some properties of the composite structures WO3TiO2, n-SiWO3 are also reported.

N. Ya. Turova

Papers

Physico-chemical and structural investigation of aluminium isopropoxide

Molybdenum and tungsten (VI) bimetallic alkoxides. Decomposition accompanied by dialkylether elimination

Bimetallic alkoxides of niobium

Direct electrochemical synthesis of metal alkoxides

Hydrolysis of molybdenum and tungsten alkoxides: sols, powders and films