Site-Directed Surface Derivatization of MCM-41: Use of High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and Molecular Recognition for Determining the Position of Functionality within Mesoporous Materials.

The "staining" cluster-crown compound [Ru6 C(CO)14 (η6 -C6 H4 C10 H20 O6 )] verifies that the internal walls of mesoporous silica MCM-41 may be selectively functionalized with propylammonium groups (see picture). By the use of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy the presence and position of the cluster and also of the functional groups may be directly determined.