The goal of the project is to develop the chemistry of organofunctional (transition) metal alkoxide derivatives for
sol-gel processing, where the organic groups are bonded to the metal centers. This will be achieved by replacing
part of the alkoxy groups by bi- or multidentate complexing ligands which additionally contain a functional organic
group. New metal-based, silicate-free inorganicorganic hybrid materials will be obtained from such precursors, for
which new materials properties are expected due to the combination of the properties of the organic functionalities
with those typical of metal oxides.
Key issues that must be investigated during the project are
1. limitations arising from the Lewis acidity of the metal alkoxides, especially interactions of the metal centers
with the functional organic groups or Lewis acid-promoted reactions of the organic groups;
2. limitation as well as preparative options arising from the formation of molecular oxo clusters by water-
producing side reactions or non-hydrolytic condensation processes;
3. stability of the bond between the metal and the complexing group, especially under the conditions of sol-gel
processing,
4. structural issues, especially the dynamic behavior of the ligands and monomer-oligomer equilibria.
The main emphasis will be put an compounds with the functional organic group having basic properties. Such
groups would allow, for example, the coordination of metal ions or metal complex moieties, the preparation of
metal/ceramic nanocomposites or could act as coupling sites for more complex organic or organometallic groups.