Inorganic sol gel chemistry

Gel formation takes place via step polymerization, wherein the many hydroxyl groups of various BH40 molecules are linked together via ester formation with diacid chlorides. As with inorganic sol-gel chemistry, the reactions used are straightforward and reaction speed is readily varied from seconds to days by adjusting the catalyst concentration, but proper control of the conditions under which these reactions proceed is critical or the desired materials will not be obtained. 

---