Synthesis of New Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Alumina Gels by the Sol-Gel Method

New hybrid organic-inorganic alumina gels have been prepared by reacting aluminum sec-butoxide and propane-1,2-diol, in CCl₄ as solvent. This reaction occurred without water addition and without the use of any catalyst, leading to the formation of transparent and monolithic gels. IR,²⁷Al and¹³CNMR show that an interchange reaction between OBu ^s alkoxide groups and diol groups occurred, leading to the hybrid gels. Samples heat treated at different temperatures under argon are weakly porous and have a small specific surface area. XRD indicates the presence of pure α-alumina at 1450°C.