Metamorphic channels in periodic mesoporous methylenesilica

Abstract

Bridging methylene groups are transformed into terminal methyl groups when periodic mesoporous methylenesilicas, prepared for the first time by surfactant-templated synthesis, are subjected to controlled thermal treatment at 350-600 °C. The methylene groups integrated 'inside the channel walls' transform smoothly to methyl groups suspended 'within the channel spaces' (shown schematically).