Reaction of 1-Butanol with Silicas

Abstract

The nature of the surface of silica was modified by the treatment with 1-butanol. The modified silica was examined by means of differential thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, water adsorption measurement, measurement of heat of immersion and so on. It was shown by the decrease in the intensity of O-H stretching vibration band as well as the appearence of C-H one that hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica were changed to butoxy groups. Moreover, the affinity of the modified silica to water was decreased, that is, the water adsorption capacity was much less than that of the original one. The values of the heat of immersion into water of the modified silica were reduced to about 50 to 70% of those of the original silica. The butoxy groups formed were slightly decomposed even when the modified silica was evacuated at 400° C.