Synthesis and properties of new paramagnetic hybrid bayerite from Al(0)/Naphthalene dianhydride reaction

Abstract

The reaction of Naphthalene 1,4,5,8-dianhydride (NTCDA) with elemental aluminum(0) powder is studied in an aqueous alcoholic KOH mixture to search for the NTCDA anion and dianion electron-adducts. After analyzing various reaction conditions it was found that the reaction yielded a greenish precipitate in 3:1 (v:v) ethanol: water mixture. This powder is composed mainly of aluminum trihydroxide crystallites of bayerite [α-Al(OH3)(s)] and the organic content is approximately 6%. This hybrid material proved to be paramagnetic even after exposure to air for one year and at temperatures up to 200 °C. Typical carbonylic bound to metal IR bands and reflectance UV-VIS spectra demonstrate the entrapment of NTCDA radical anion into the aluminum trihydroxide, hence rendering its green color and a paramagnetic behavior. Thus, besides the understanding of an aluminum reaction in suspension, the entrapment of an organic material (NTCDA) that stays stable as the corresponding radical can provide an interesting option for the synthesis of aluminum trihydroxide composites.