β-Diketones and their derivatives in sol–gel processes

Published data on the use of β-diketones, metal β-diketonates and some structurally related compounds in sol–gel synthesis of new organic-inorganic hybrid materials are analyzed. Functionalization methods of β-diketones with carbofunctional organosilicon compounds are considered. Ways of insertion of a metal cation into the organic-inorganic hybrid matrix using non-functionalized β-diketonates are demonstrated. Particular attention is devoted to luminescent lanthanide derivatives, which is due to the prospects of practical application of materials obtained from them in photonics, integrated optics and medical diagnosis. The types and properties of most widely used sol–gel monomers and oligomers and the luminescence behaviour of lanthanide β-diketonates and metal-free silica matrices are considered. The bibliography includes 220 references.