Synthesis and characterization of highly ordered thiophene-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas with large pores

The first example of a highly ordered periodic mesoporous thiophene-bridged organosilica (PMO) with large pores is reported. The synthesis was carried out under acidic conditions using a polyalkylene oxide triblock copolymer (Pluronic P123) as supramolecular structure-directing agent. Materials with pore sizes between 5 and 6 run and specific surface areas in the range of 400-550 m(2)/g were obtained. The analysis of the TG/MS data demonstrates a relatively high thermal stability (up to 400 degreesC in air) of the mesoporous organosilica before a decomposition of the organic moieties occurs.