Porous organic-inorganic hybrids for removal of amines

Porous organic-inorganic hybrids have been prepared from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and organosilane precursors by sol-gel method. Two organosilanes, 3 -(2,4-dinitrophenylamino)propyltriethoxysilane (DNPTES) and N-[[-(2-nitrophenyl)methoxy]carbonyl]-3-triethoxysilylpropylamine (NPTES) were used to incorporate electron-accepting (di)nitrophenyl groups into the hybrids. The hybrids were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and their pore characteristics were studied by nitrogen sorption porosimetry. Surface area of the hybrids ranged from 563 to 770 m(2)/g, pore volume, 0.23-0.30 cm(3)/g, and porosity, 35-41%. It was demonstrated by UV-vis spectroscopy that aniline, ethylenediamine, and 1-aminonaphthalene could be removed from their hexane solutions in the presence of the hybrid powders. The removal of amines is attributable to donor-acceptor interaction between the electron-donating amines and electron-accepting (di)nitrophenyl moiety.