Basicity, silanol group

The relative contributions from these processes strongly depend on the reaction conditions, such as type of solvent, substrate and water concentration, and acidity of catalyst (78,79). It was also discovered that in acid—base inert solvents, such as methylene chloride, the basic assistance requited for the condensation process is provided by another silanol group. This phenomena, called intra—inter catalysis, controls the linear-to-cyclic products ratio, which is constant at a wide range of substrate concentrations. 

Lateral interactions between the adsorbed molecules can affect dramatically the strength of surface sites. Coadsorption of weak acids with basic test molecules reveal the effect of induced Bronsted acidity, when in the presence of SO, or NO, protonation of such bases as NH, pyridine or 2,6-dimethylpyridine occurs on silanol groups that never manifest any Bronsted acidity. This suggests explanation of promotive action of gaseous acids in the reactions catalyzed by Bronsted sites. Just the same, presence of adsorbed bases leads to the increase of surface basicity, which can be detected by adsorption of CHF. ... 

Silica gel and aluminium oxide layers are highly active stationary phases with large surface areas which can, for example, — on heating — directly dehydrate, degrade and, in the presence of oxygen, oxidize substances in the layer This effect is brought about by acidic silanol groups [93] or is based on the adsorption forces (proton acceptor or donor effects, dipole interactions etc) The traces of iron in the adsorbent can also catalyze some reactions In the case of testosterone and other d -3-ketosteroids stable and quantifiable fluorescent products are formed on layers of basic aluminium oxide [176,195]... 

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