Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2011
A new synthesis route to open framework mesostructures based on H-bonding and self-assembly between neutral primary amine surfactants (S°) and neutral inorganic precursors (I°) has been used to prepare hexagonal mesoporous silicas containing site isolated titanium centers. These new titanosilicates, designated Ti-HMS, exhibit exceptional catalytic reactivity for the oxidation of substrates too large to access the pore structure of conventional titanosilicates, such as titanium silicalite, TS-1. The catalytic properties of Ti-HMS materials for the peroxide oxidation of 2,6- di- tert-butylphenol are compared with those of microporous TS-1 and a mesoporous Ti-MCM-41 analog prepared by an electrostatic templating mechanism using a liquid crystal quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant.