FT-Raman Spectroscopic Investigations of Titanium Alkoxides with Polymerizable Organic Ligands:

Chelating agents are frequently used in sol-gel chemistry to decrease hydrolytic reactivity and uncontrolled precipitation of titanium alkoxides. The use of polymerizable organic compounds as chelating agents allows for the formation of copolymers consisting of hybrid inorganic/organic networks. The main task of this study was the analytical characterization of new molecular precursors and organically modified titanium oxide films. Methacrylic acid, itaconic anhydride, isoeugenol, and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid were reacted with titanium isopropoxide and titanium ethoxide to form the corresponding chelated alkoxide sols. Thin solgel films of these compounds on metal substrates were prepared by dip-coating and studied by Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy. The spectra were compared to those of the precursors. By means of their characteristic vibrational bands, the presence of polymerizable groups was detected in the coatings. The systems investigated are capable of acting as adhesive promoters in dental applications. Index Headings: Sol-gel coatings; FT-Raman spectroscopy; Titanium alkoxides; Polymerizable ligands; Adhesion promoters; Dental prosthetics.