Functionalization of silica gel by ultrasound-assisted surface Suzuki coupling

Abstract

Mesoporous silica gel was functionalized by various organic functional groups using thiol-ene coupling of surface thiol groups with 4-vinylphenylboronic acid followed by Suzuki coupling with aromatic halides. For better performance, the synthesis was conducted under sonication. The presence of surface functional groups was confirmed by thermoanalysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and characteristic reactions of these groups. Solid-phase conditions of the synthesis eliminate the risk of side reactions of boronic acids.