Solvothermal synthesis is a method of producing
chemical compounds, in which a solvent containing reagents is put under high pressure and temperature in an
autoclave. Many substances dissolve better in the same solvent in such conditions than at
standard conditions, enabling reactions that would not otherwise occur and leading to new compounds or
polymorphs. Solvothermal synthesis is very similar to the
hydrothermal route; both are typically conducted in a stainless steel autoclave. The only difference being that the precursor solution is usually
non-aqueous.[1]
Formic acid decomposes at high temperatures to carbon dioxide and
hydrogen or
carbon monoxide and water. This property allows formic acid to be used as a reducing and carbon dioxide-rich reaction medium in which it is possible to form various
oxides and
carbonates.[8]
Ammonia as reaction medium
The critical temperature and pressure of ammonia are 132.2°C and 111bar. In these conditions, it is possible to obtain a range of
amides,
imides, and
nitrides. Although its
dielectric constant is lower than that of water, ammonia behaves as a polar solvent especially at high pressures.[8]
^Yaghi, O. M.; Kalmutzki, M. J.; Diercks, C. S. (2019). Introduction to Reticular Chemistry: Metal-Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks. Weinheim:
Wiley-VCH.
ISBN978-3-527-82110-5.
^Farha, Omar K.; Hupp, Joseph T. (2010). "Rational Design, Synthesis, Purification, and Activation of Metal−Organic Framework Materials". Accounts of Chemical Research. 43 (8): 1166–1175.
doi:
10.1021/ar1000617.
PMID20608672.
^Hu, Gang; Ma, Ding; Cheng, Mojie; Liu, Lin; Bao, Xinhe (2002). "Direct synthesis of uniform hollow carbon spheres by a self-assembly template approach". Chemical Communications (17): 1948–1949.
doi:
10.1039/B205723A.
PMID12271688.
^Li, J.; Chen, Z.; Wang, R. J.; Proserpio, D. M. (1999). "Low temperature route towards new materials: Solvothermal synthesis of metal chalcogenides in ethylenediamine". Coordination Chemistry Reviews. 190–192: 707–735.
doi:
10.1016/S0010-8545(99)00107-1.