Solid state hydrolysis/polycondensation of alkoxysilane: access to crystal-like silicon-based hybrid materials

Transformation of a crystallized molecular solid to a periodically organized covalent extended solid was obtained by a solvent-free process of an organosilane. Hydrolysis and further polycondensation occur in the solid state; in addition this route leads to crystal-like silicon-based hybrid materials with a higher periodicity than material prepared by sol-gel process.