Site-Directed Surface Derivatization of MCM-41: Use of High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and Molecular Recognition for Determining the Position of Functionality within Mesoporous Materials

The “staining” cluster–crown compound [Ru₆C(CO)₁₄(η⁶-C₆H₄C₁₀H₂₀O₆)] verifies that the internal walls of mesoporous silica MCM-41 may be selectively functionalized with propylammonium groups (see picture). By the use of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy the presence and position of the cluster and also of the functional groups may be directly determined.