Synthesis and spectroscopic study of mixed metal clusters using methacrylate and acrylate ligands

Methacrylate and acrylate ligands derived from 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propil methacrylate (TMSPM), 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEM) and acrylic acid (AA) were used to obtain clusters of Ti and Zr from a sol–gel polymerization. The spectroscopic techniques used for the characterization included small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The acrylate ion acted as a chelating agent, whereas methacrylates derived from HEM and TMSPM acted as bridging agents, according to the results. The experimental strategy can be used to tailor the structure of amorphous solids.