New aerogels chemically modified with amino complexes of bivalent copper

The reaction of copper(II) pivalate with aminopropyltrimethoxysilane in molar ratio Cu(II): RNH 2 = 1: 4 leads to the corresponding complex 1. The combined gelation of complex 1 and Si(OCH 3 ) 4 produces lyogels whose structure incorporates Cu(II). The supercritical drying of the lyogels in CO 2 results in aerogels with specific surface area up to 260 m 2 /g containing bivalent copper. Drying of lyogels under supercritical conditions in isopropanol and methanol leads to reduction of Cu(II) into metal state.