Templated synthesis of pyridine functionalized mesoporous carbons through the cyclotrimerization of diethynylpyridines

Templated mesoporous carbons designed around the pyridine functionality have been made using the cyclotrimerization of a variety of diethynylpyridines. The substitution pattern of the ethynyl moieties about the pyridine ring system was found to have a significant impact on the structure and properties of the final product. A model is proposed that focuses on the self-assembly of the diethynylpyridine monomer on the silica surface and the order and orientation of the ethynyl moieties within this monolayer.