Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

In Situ SIMS and IR Spectroscopy of Well-defined Surfaces Prepared by Soft Landing of Mass-selected Ions
Published on: June 16, 2014
Reaction of organosilicon hydrides with solid surfaces: an example of surface-catalyzed self-assembly
Roy Helmy1, Robert W Wenslow, Alexander Y Fadeev
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079, USA.
Abstract:
The solution-phase reactions of octadecylsilane (C(18)H(37)SiH(3)) with 10 high surface area metal oxides (groups II-VIII) were investigated. C(18)H(37)SiH(3) reacted with most metal oxides at room temperature and produced supported monolayers (self-assembled monolayers, SAMs) with a high grafting density of C(18), approximately 4.5-5 groups/nm(2). According to the FTIR and (29)Si NMR spectra, molecules in the SAMs demonstrated "horizontal" cross-linking (Si-O-Si and Si-OH.HO-Si bonds) and little or no "vertical" bonds with the metal oxide forming an amorphous, yet ordered film. Also, approximately 3 mol of H(2) was formed per each mole of grafted C(18), indicating complete hydrolysis of C(18)H(37)SiH(3) during the reaction. On the basis of the activity of different metal oxides, we concluded that the hydrolysis of C(18)H(37)SiH(3), the key step in the reaction mechanism, is catalyzed by water adsorbed on acidic and basic centers (Lewis and Brönsted) of the surface of metal oxide. Metal oxides and solids with weak acidic and basic properties, like silica, carbon, and organic polymers, do not react with C(18)H(37)SiH(3). Increasing the temperature of the reaction or doping neutral surfaces with acids or bases greatly increases their activity in the reaction with RSiH(3).
More Related Videos
11:38In situ FTIR Spectroscopy as a Tool for Investigation of Gas/Solid Interaction: Water-Enhanced CO2 Adsorption in UiO-66 Metal-Organic Framework
Published on: February 1, 2020
07:53Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 1, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Reaction Mechanisms
For instance, the decomposition of ozone appears to follow a mechanism with two steps:
Catalysis
Predicting Reaction Outcomes
Catalysis
Adsorption of Gases on Solids
Heterogeneous Catalysis