Modification of Different Zirconium Propoxide Precursors by Diethanolamine. Is There a Shelf Stability Issue for Sol-Gel Applications?

Modification of different zirconium propoxide precursors with H(2)dea was investigated by characterization of the isolated modified species. Upon modification of zirconium n-propoxide and [Zr(O(n)Pr)(O(i)Pr)(3)((i)PrOH)](2) with ½ a mol equivalent of H(2)dea the complexes [Zr(2)(O(n)Pr)(6)(OCH(2)CH(2))(2)NH](2) (1) and [Zr(2)(O(n)Pr)(2)(O(i)Pr)(4)(OCH(2)CH(2))(2)NH](2) (2) were obtained. However, (1)H-NMR studies of these tetranuclear compounds showed that these are not time-stable either in solution or solid form. The effect of this time instability on material properties is demonstrated by light scattering and TEM experiments. Modification of zirconium isopropoxide with either ½ or 1 equivalent mol of H(2)dea results in formation of the trinuclear complex, Zr{η(3)μ(2)-NH(C(2)H(4)O)(2)}(3)[Zr(O(i)Pr)(3)](2)(iPrOH)(2) (3) countering a unique nona-coordinated central zirconium atom. This complex 3 is one of the first modified zirconium propoxide precursors shown to be stable in solution for long periods of time. The particle size and morphology of the products of sol-gel synthesis are strongly dependent on the time factor and eventual heat treatment of the precursor solution. Reproducible sol-gel synthesis requires the use of solution stable precursors.