Synthesis of mesoporous oxide

A method for synthesizing a composition of matter comprising an inorganic, porous, non-layered crystalline phase material exhbiting, after calcination, an X-ray diffraction pattern with at least one peak at a position greater than about 18 Angstrom Units d-spacing and exhibiting a benzene adsorption capacity of greater than about 15 grams benzene per 100 grams at 50 torr and 25.degree. C., said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) preparing a reaction mixture capable of forming said composition, said mixture comprising one or more sources of at least one oxide, an organic agent and a solvent or solvent mixture;
• said oxide being selected from the group consisting of divalent element oxides, trivalent element oxides, tetravalent element oxides and pentavalent element oxides;
• said organic agent comprising an ion of the formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 R.sub.4 Q.sup.+, wherein Q is nitrogen or phosphorus and wherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is aryl or alkyl of from 6 to about 36 carbon atoms or combinations thereof, the remainder of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 being selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and combinations thereof;
• (b) maintaining said mixture under sufficient conditions of pH, temperature and time for formation of said composition of matter;
• and
• (c) recovering said composition of matter,
• wherein said step (a) comprises the steps of (i) forming a solution comprising at least one source of said oxide;
• and (ii) adding a gelling reagent to said solution of step (i) to convert said solution into a gel.