Synthesis and characterisation of ibuprofen-anchored MCM-41 silica and silica gel

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen) has been anchored inside the mesoporous channels of MCM-41-type silica and on a silica gel surface. The relevant anchoring procedure through an ester function has been investigated. It uses the epoxide ring opening of 3-glycidoxypropylsilane grafted on the silica surface by the carboxylic-group-containing ibuprofen. The control of the surface modification and of the anchoring efficiency was achieved by comparison of spectroscopic data with those obtained using homogeneous counterparts. The use of nano-structured silica allowed an accurate verification of the different surface modifications and also a higher drug loading.