Mesoporous materials have been synthesized that are composed of hybrid frameworks in which inorganic and organic components have a fixed stoichiometry and are covalently bonded. The creation of UOFMN (unified organically functionalized mesoporous networks) materials incorporates concepts employed in the synthesis of MCM-41 mesoporous silicates, making use of a quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant and a double trialkoxysilyl precursor such as bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTSE) or bis(triethoxysilyl)ethylene (BTSEY). The cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA + ) surfactant is removed by extraction with acid, resulting in a high surface area porous organosilicate framework in which Si atoms are bridged by ethane (from BTSE) or ethylene (BTSEY) groups. The channels are wormlike and uniform in diameter. UOFMN materials are more hydrothermally stable than MCM-41 prepared under similar conditions and have thicker pore walls. Ethylene groups in products made with BTSEY can be brominated, the brominated product itself being reactive as a bromide source. The UOFMN products were characterized by XRD, N 2 adsorption, solid-state 29 Si and 13 C NMR, and TEM.

This review describes methods of preparing hybrid inorganic–organic mesoporous silicates with uniform channel structures, as well as some of their applications. Both reactive and passive organic groups can be incorporated in the porous solids by grafting methods or by co‐condensation under surfactant control. Functional groups have been placed selectively on the internal or external pore surfaces or even within the walls of the mesoporous solids. Organic functionalization of these solids permits tuning of the surface properties (hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, binding to guest molecules), alteration of the surface reactivity, protection of the surface from attack, and modification of the bulk properties (e.g., mechanical or optical properties) of the material. Recent applications of hybrid mesoporous silicates are highlighted, including catalysis, sorption of metals, anions, and organics, reactors for polymerization, fixation of biologically active species, and optical applications.

Mesoporous silicas, especially those exhibiting ordered pore systems and uniform pore diameters, have shown great potential for sensing applications in recent years. Morphological control grants them versatility in the method of deployment whether as bulk powders, monoliths, thin films, or embedded in coatings. High surface areas and pore sizes greater than 2 nm make them effective as adsorbent coatings for humidity sensors. The pore networks also provide the potential for immobilization of enzymes within the materials. Functionalization of materials by silane grafting or through co-condensation of silicate precursors can be used to provide mesoporous materials with a variety of fluorescent probes as well as surface properties that aid in selective detection of specific analytes. This review will illustrate how mesoporous silicas have been applied to sensing changes in relative humidity, changes in pH, metal cations, toxic industrial compounds, volatile organic compounds, small molecules and ions, nitroenergetic compounds, and biologically relevant molecules.

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Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) silica materials functionalized with highly dispersed polyoxometalate clusters have been prepared via direct synthesis. Lacunary γ-decatungstosilicate clusters were incorporated into the wall structures of macroporous silica by reaction of the clusters in acidic solution with tetraethoxysilane, with or without addition of the polyfunctional linking group 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane, followed by condensation around polystyrene colloidal crystals. Removal of the polystyrene template by extraction with a tetrahydrofuran/acetone solution produced the porous hybrid materials. The products were characterized by IR, solid-state 29 Si and 13 C NMR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and chemical analysis. The polyoxometalate clusters remained intact in the hybrid structures and were nearly molecularly dispersed throughout the walls of the 3DOM materials. High incorporation levels of cluster were obtained, with no bulk particles on the external surfaces. The materials were demonstrated to exhibit catalytic activity for the epoxidation of cyclooctene with an anhydrous H 2 O 2 /t-BuOH solution at room temperature.