Polycondensation of Water Glass Sodium Silicates in the Presence of [BnXn]2– (n = 10, 12; X = H, Cl) Boron Cluster Anions

It has been shown that two competing processes occur in a system of water glass (WG) silicates and [BnXn]2– (n = 10, 12; X = H, Cl) boron cluster anions (WG/[An]) in the range 100–200°C: the formation of a supramolecular structure due to cation–anion contacts of the silanol groups of the silicate with [An]'s at t ≤ 100°C and the condensation of the silanol groups of the silicate, resulting in the formation of polysiloxane chains (t ≥ 180°C). The difference in temperature conditions between these processes leads to inhibition of the silicate condensation process. The detailed structure of the silicate component of the WG/[An] systems has been studied as a function of [An] content.