“…The mixture was refluxed for 16 h with stirring. [25] Silica phase was then washed with distilled water, followed by ethanol (3 � 10 mL each one), and dried at 100°C for 24 h. In order to activate it, the silica (3.0 g) was immersed in 40 mL of HCl 3 M and refluxed for 8 h; later it was filtered, washed with distilled water, and dried at 120°C all night. Activated silica was mixed with 30 mL of anhydrous toluene, 0.5 mL of triethylamine, and 3 mL of APTMS; the mixture was refluxed for 24 h. Propylamine functionalized silica was filtered, washed with toluene followed by ethanol (3 � 10 mL each one), and dried at 60°C for 24 h. Concluded the reaction time, propylamine functionalized silica was mixed with 60 mL of methyl acrylate/methanol solution (1:1, v/v) and stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 50°C for 2 h. The product was filtered and washed with methanol to obtain methylester functionalized silica.…”