(3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane-derived Porous Gel Monolith via Thioacetal Reaction-Assisted Sol-Gel Route

Abstract

Porous gel monolith was synthesized by reacting (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) with acetone on acidic conditions. It is known that MPTMS itself is difficult to turn into gel on acidic conditions and instead oligomers are obtained owing to the large mercaptopropyl group. In our system, the gels were obtained since acetone worked as a cross-linker via thioacetal reaction. Additionally, Au ions were selectively adsorbed on the obtained gel. When an obtained white gel was soaked in a chloroauric acid solution, the gel turned brown and was getting dark depending on the soaked time; on the other hand, the color of the solution turned from yellow to colorless.