Abstract
Published data on the use of $\beta$-diketones, metal $\beta$-diketonates and some structurally related compounds in sol--gel syntheses of new organic--inorganic hybrid materials are analyzed. Methods of functionalization of $\beta$-diketones by carbofunctional organosilicon compounds are considered. Ways of insertion of a metal cations into hybrid organic--inorganic matrix by using of non-functionalized $\beta$-diketonates are demonstrated. Particular attention is paid to derivatives of luminescent rare-earth elements, which is due to prospects for practical application of materials obtained from these derivatives in photonics, integrated optics and medical diagnostics. The types and properties of most popular sol--gel monomers and oligomers, the luminescence properties of rare-earth metal $\beta$-diketonates and metal-free siliceous matrices are examined.
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