In order to gain an in-depth insight into the surface chemistry of silica, we conducted an extensive literature search. Our goal is to identify pioneering research carried out on silica and silica-supported catalysts. Of particular interest are the silica-water-cobalt and silica-alcohol-cobalt systems. This study is at both the macro and micro level so that a comprehensive theoretical basis can be established. From this theoretical knowledge, key areas to examine will be identified and a plan of experiments will be established. The goal is to develop a product (catalyst) that is both effective and efficient using a new methodology developed from previous research. Structure of silica: fundamental studies by Stober [ ], Meyer and Heckerman [ ], and Bering and Serpinskii [ ] indicate that the surface of silica consists of siloxane network in the bulk, while the hydroxyl groups are attached to the atoms of silicon. However, these groups are not equivalent in their adsorption or reaction behavior. Figure 1a shows a general arrangement on a silica surface. Belyakova et al. identifies that the number of hydroxyl groups (Silanol) on different types of silica surfaces is the same, i.e. 4 to 5 SiOH groups per nm2. Lange [ ] identifies that water associates with these silanol groups in two ways, by hydrogen bonding or by physical adsorption. Dalton and Iler [ ] state that there is at least a monolayer of water immobilized on the silanol groups due to hydrogen bonds, this "glassy layer" protects the underlying silica network from foreign molecules. Klier and Zettlemoyer [ ] indicate that water “deposits oxygen” on the silanol groups. De Boer and Vleeskens [ ] argued that at about 120 °C in ambient air, silica loses adsorbed water unless it is present in micropores which would otherwise occupy...... the middle of paper ......ussion: Adsorption sites for salt as well as for alcohol, these are polar silanol groups (Fig. 1c). As stated previously, alcohol is not adsorbed to all silanol groups (prefers the isolated silanol group) and alcohol is adsorbed more preferentially than salt. Thus, the anchoring of the salt on the silica surface must be very clear, thus reducing the possibility of irreducible formation of mixed metal supports. Also for substantial adsorption, silica gel must be contacted with a highly concentrated saline-alcohol solution. In our opinion, a small amount of water causes ionization of the alcohol which further induces ionization on the surface of the silanol, creating anionic sites suitable for esterification of the ethoxy group. On the other hand, salt is primarily "associated" if water is about 1-2% in the solution and the adsorbed salt will act as a nucleation site for the salt present primarily due to physical interaction..