Metal-complex ionosilicas: Cationic mesoporus silica with Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes in their framework

Metal-complex ionosilicas with cationic complexes into the mesoporous silica framework were prepared using anionic surfactants. The electrostatic interaction between the anionic surfactant and the cationic metal complexes incorporated in the silica framework allows for the fine tuning of the mesoporous structure. The gentle procedure of synthesis developed and mild ion-exchange extraction of the surfactant, allowed a cleaner route for the immobilization of homogeneous cationic catalysts in mesoporous silica, while protecting the structural and chemical integrity of the metal complexes. The authors are grateful for funding under project CTQ2011-28954-C02-01(02) from the Spanish MICINN. E.S. is grateful for financial support under the JdC Program (Ref. JCI 2008-2165) and from GV (Ref.BEST2011/223). NL acknowledges financial support from the FPI Program (Ref. BES-2006-13056).