Taming the Base Catalyzed Sol–Gel Reaction: Basic Ionic Liquid Gels of SiO₂ and TiO₂

We describe the autocatalytic synthesis of SiO₂ and TiO₂ ionic liquid gels using a basic ionic liquid as the solvent, template, and catalyst for the sol–gel reaction. Basic gels were synthesized using a two-component mixture of the basic ionic liquid [P₆₆₆₁₄]­[OH] and either tetraethylorthosilicate or titanium isopropoxide (Ti­(OiPr)₄). The gels formed were clear glassy materials. The unstable basic ionic liquid was stabilized by the matrix and showed both increased thermal stability (by thermogravimetric analysis) and chemical stability (by solid-state NMR) after over 1 year of storage.