The chemistry of phase selectivity in the synthesis of high-silica zeolites

In this review we discuss the roles that inorganic and organic components play in the synthesis of high-silica zeolites. We discuss the effects that heteroatom identity, heteroatom substitution, and SDA shape have on synthesis products. Then we summarize recent developments in zeolite synthesis that have been made by performing syntheses in concentrated fluoride media and by using germanium as a tetravalent heteroatom. Finally, we examine the combined roles that framework stability, framework/SDA interactions, and silanol defects may have in determining phase selectivity.     

Recent Advances in Multifunctional Capsule Catalysts in Heterogeneous Catalysis?

Capsule catalysts composed of pre-shaped core catalysts and layer zeolites have been widely used in the tandem reactions where multiple continuous reactions are combined into one process. They show excellent catalytic performance in heterogeneous catalysis, including the direct synthesis of middle isoparaffins or dimethyl ether from syngas, as compared to the conventional hybrid catalysts. The present review highlights the recent development in the design of capsule catalysts and their catalytic applications in heterogeneous catalysis. The capsule catalyst preparation methods are introduced in detail, such as hydrothermal synthesis method, dual-layer method, physically adhesive method and single crystal crystallization method. Furthermore, several new applications of capsule catalysts in heterogeneous catalytic processes are presented such as in the direct synthesis of liquefied petroleum gas from syngas, the direct synthesis of para-xylene from syngas and methane dehydroaromatization. In addition, the development in the design of multifunctional capsule catalysts is discussed, which makes the capsule catalyst not just a simple combination of two different catalysts, but has some special functions such as changing the surface hydrophobic or acid properties of the core catalysts. Finally, the future perspectives of the design and applications of capsule catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis are provided.     

Three-dimensional electron diffraction for porous crystalline materials: structural determination and beyond

Porous crystalline materials such as zeolites, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have attracted great interest due to their well-defined pore structures in molecular dimensions. Knowing the atomic structures of porous materials is crucial for understanding their properties and exploring their applications. Many porous materials are synthesized as polycrystalline powders, which are too small for structure determination by X-ray diffraction. Three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED) has been developed for studying such materials. In this Minireview, we summarize the recent developments of 3DED methods and demonstrate how 3DED revolutionized structural analysis of zeolites, MOFs, and COFs. Zeolites and MOFs whose structures remained unknown for decades could be solved. New approaches for design and targeted synthesis of novel zeolites could be developed. Moreover, we discuss the advances of structural analysis by 3DED in revealing the unique structural features and properties, such as heteroatom distributions, mixed-metal frameworks, structural flexibility, guest–host interactions, and structure transformation.

Three-dimensional electron diffraction is a powerful tool for accurate structure determination of zeolite, MOF, and COF crystals that are too small for X-ray diffraction. By revealing the structural details, the properties of the materials can be understood, and new materials and applications can be designed.     

含镍Y沸石的硫化及加氢脱硫性能

本文制备了不同形态的含镍Y沸石, 研究了温度, 时间和H~2S浓度对含镍Y沸石硫化的影响, 发现负载型含镍Y沸石最易硫化, 离子交换型次之, 骨架型最难硫化。考察了沸石表面硫化物物种的热稳定性和水热稳定性。指出高温下沸石脱附的水蒸汽能使硫化物发生水解, 导致催化剂失硫。用XRD, IR和化学分析等方法对硫化的含镍沸石催化剂进行表征, 硫化后沸石表面形成的NiS~x有可能是属正交晶系的Ni~7S~6化合物。对噻吩加氢脱硫反应, 硫化的含骨架镍Y沸石无催化活性, 硫化的离子交换型含镍Y沸石活性比负载型含镍Y沸石高5-6倍左右, 因其酸性较强。催化剂表面酸性位和硫化镍活性位共存, 对噻吩加氢脱硫反应是有利的。     

A working hypothesis for broadening framework types of zeolites in seed-assisted synthesis without organic structure-directing agent

Recent research has demonstrated a new synthesis route to useful zeolites such as beta, RUB-13, and ZSM-12 via seed-assisted, organic structure-directing agent (OSDA)-free synthesis, although it had been believed that these zeolites could be essentially synthesized with OSDAs. These zeolites are obtained by adding seeds to the gels that otherwise yield other zeolites; however, the underlying crystallization mechanism has not been fully understood yet. Without any strategy, it is unavoidable to employ a trial-and-error procedure for broadening zeolite types by using this synthesis method. In this study, the effect of zeolite seeds with different framework structures is investigated to understand the crystallization mechanism of zeolites obtained by the seed-assisted, OSDA-free synthesis method. It has been found that the key factor in the successful synthesis of zeolites in the absence of OSDA is the common composite building unit contained both in the seeds and in the zeolite obtained from the gel after heating without seeds. A new working hypothesis for broadening zeolite types by the seed-assisted synthesis without OSDA is proposed on the basis of the findings of the common composite building units in zeolites. This hypothesis enables us to design the synthesis condition of target zeolites. The validity of the hypothesis is experimentally tested and verified by synthesizing several zeolites including ECR-18 in K-aluminosilicate system.     

A computational chemistry insight in the role of structure directing agents in the synthesis of zeolites

The role of structure directing agents in the synthesis of zeolites has been studied through atomistic simulation techniques. Three different kinds of structure directing agents have been reviewed: (i) isomorphic heteroatom Si --> Al and Si --> Ge substitutions; (ii) F(-) anions; and (iii) organic SDAs. The interplay between these structure directing agents is described and the separate effects of each one have been found from energy calculations and analysis of energetic terms.     

Recent Progress in Application of Graphene Supported Metal Nanoparticles in C−C and C−X Coupling Reactions

The carbon‐carbon and carbon‐heteroatom bonds catalytic formation is among the most significant reactions in organic synthesis which extensively applied for synthesis of natural products, heterocycles, dendrimers, biologically active molecules and useful compounds. This review provides the latest advances in the preparation of graphene supported metal nanoparticles and their application in the catalytic formation of both carbon‐carbon (C−C) and carbon‐heteroatom (C−X) bonds including the Suzuki, Heck, Hiyama, Ullmann, Buchwald and Sonogashira coupling reactions. Numerous examples are given concerning the use of these catalysts in C−C and C−X coupling reactions along with the reliable and simple preparation methods of these catalysts, their characterization and catalytic properties and also the recycling possibilities.     

二维分子筛的制备及其催化应用研究进展

沸石分子筛是一种具有独特孔道结构的硅铝酸盐晶体,因其具有较大的比表面积、优异的孔道择形性、良好的热稳定性以及适宜的酸性质等特点,被广泛应用于催化、吸附、分离等领域。与常规三维沸石分子筛相比,二维分子筛由于其独特的形貌结构带来的可调变的多级孔结构、适宜的表面酸性以及良好的扩散传质性能等优点,已在吸附和催化领域显示出巨大的应用潜力。本文系统总结了二维MFI、SAPO-34、MCM-n、Y型分子筛等的合成以及此类分子筛催化应用研究方面的最新进展。最后,对二维沸石分子筛材料的新合成方法及新应用领域进行了展望。     

Comprehensive Understanding of the Eco‐Friendly Synthesis of Zeolites: Needs of 21st Century Sustainable Chemical Industries

Zeolites have taken a leading position in petrochemical, fine, and bulk chemical industries due to their porous architecture, pore sizes, tunable acidity, and thermal stability. Various strategies of zeolites preparation, including template‐free, solvent‐free, and toxic mineral‐free strategies are summarized. Moreover, the zeolite synthesis using naturally occurring minerals and sustainable natural templates is also discussed, which involves the synthesis of nanocrystalline zeolites of different framework structures using plant‐based natural templates and biomass‐derived renewable chemicals. Overall this personal account provides the fundamentals of various sustainable synthetic strategies reported in the literature for the synthesis of zeolites with suitable examples that will be useful for the students and will motivate experienced researchers to develop various novel sustainable methods for the synthesis of zeolites and other inorganic materials of industrial relevance.     

Sustainable Synthesis of Pure Silica Zeolites from a Combined Strategy of Zeolite Seeding and Alcohol Filling

Currently, the synthesis of pure silica zeolites always requires the presence of organic structure‐directing agents (OSDAs), which direct the assembly pathway and ultimately fill the pore space. A sustainable route is now reported for synthesizing pure silica zeolites in the absence of OSDAs from a combined strategy of zeolite seeding and alcohol filling, where the zeolite seeds direct crystallization of zeolite crystals from amorphous silica, while the alcohol is served as pore filling in the zeolites. Very importantly, the alcohol could be fully washed out from zeolite pores by water at room temperature, which completely avoids calcination at high temperature for removal of OSDAs in the synthesis of pure silica zeolites.     

Mesoporous carbons from self-assembled polymers

Polymer self-assembly provides a robust and cost-efficient nanomanufacturing platform for enabling a broad range of applications, such as microelectronics, drug delivery, and separation membranes. This review focuses on discussing the progress and opportunities of self-assembled polymer in the synthesis of mesoporous carbons (MCs), which have aroused significant research interests over the past decades. Specifically, we will discuss the two most established approaches for converting nanostructured polymers to MCs, including templating-based and direct pyrolysis-based methods. We will also review the fundamental ordering mechanisms and kinetics of these polymeric systems and discuss the recent development of engineering methods for providing on-demand control over the pore size and morphology of MCs. Additionally, this review article also includes a section focusing on the strategies to further functionalize these materials from self-assembled polymers to enhance their performance, such as chemical activation, heteroatom doping, introduction of nanoparticles into the carbon matrix, and enhancing graphitization degree of carbon walls. Finally, a brief perspective is provided about the emerging research opportunity in this exciting field.     

二维沸石及其在大分子催化转化领域的研究进展

与三维结构沸石不同,二维沸石由于其更开放的孔道结构、更大的比表面积、更易暴露的酸性位点,在大分子和扩散限制催化领域显示了特殊优势。通过各种合成和后处理方法,能够调控二维沸石及其衍生材料的孔道种类、大小与分布,从而适用于不同的催化过程。本文综述了近年来二维沸石的合成与应用进展。     

羟基自由基在沸石分子筛合成中的作用

沸石分子筛由于具有独特的形选催化作用及可调的酸性, 已成为化学工业中最重要的固体催化材料. 沸石分子筛的合成主要基于碱性条件下的水热晶化, OH^?被认为起到催化硅铝物种的解聚及聚合作用. 近年来, 研究者发现了羟基自由基加速分子筛的水热晶化机制. 通过利用紫外光照射或芬顿反应等物理或化学方法向分子筛合成体系引入羟基自由基, 可以实现沸石分子筛的加速晶化及高硅沸石分子筛的合成. 理论计算结果表明, 羟基自由基可以促进Si—O—Si 键的断裂和重新生成, 从而显著加快分子筛成核并促进硅原子进入骨架. 本综述介绍了羟基自由基在沸石分子筛晶化方面的最新研究进展, 探讨了羟基自由基的主要作用和优势, 并对沸石分子筛合成的羟基自由基路线发展前景进行了展望.     

Post-modified Strategies of Graphdiyne for Electrochemical Applications

The new carbon material graphdiyne (GDY) has been verified to have a great application prospect in electrochemical field. In order to study its properties and expand its scope of application, various experiments including structural control tests are imposed on GDY. Among them, as one of the most commonly used methods to modify the structure, heteroatom doping is favored for its advantages in synthesis methods and the control of mechanical, electrical and even magnetic properties of carbon materials. According to the published studies, the top-down methods of doping heteroatoms for GDY only need cheap raw materials, simple synthetic route and strong controllability, which is conducive to rapid performance breakthroughs in electrochemical applications. This review selects the typical cases in the development of that post-modification method from the application of GDY in the electrochemical field. Here, based on the existed reports, the commonly used non-metal elements (such as nitrogen, sulfur) and metal elements (such as iron) have been introduced to post-modify GDY. Then, a detailed analysis is made for corresponding electrochemical applications, such as energy storage and electrocatalysis. Finally, the challenges and prospects of post-modified GDY in synthesis and electrochemical applications are proposed. This review provides us a useful guidance for the development of high-quality GDY suitable for electrochemical applications.     

The Influence of Heteroatom M(M = B, Al, Ge, Ga, Fe)on the Adsorption Properties of M-ZSM-12 Zeolites

Heteroatom M-ZSM-12 zeolites(M=B, Al, Ge, Ga, Fe) are hydrothermally synthesized and it is proved that the heteroatom M is involved in the framework of synthesized molecular sieves by means of XRD, IR spectra. The results of adsorption and diffusion experiments indicate that the heteroatom M modifies the pore volume, specific surface area, and the channel of ZSM-12 molecular sieves.     

CH bond functionalization: emerging synthetic tools for natural products and pharmaceuticals

The direct functionalization of C? H bonds in organic compounds has recently emerged as a powerful and ideal method for the formation of carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds. This Review provides an overview of C? H bond functionalization strategies for the rapid synthesis of biologically active compounds such as natural products and pharmaceutical targets.     

Directing Aluminum Atoms into Energetically Favorable Tetrahedral Sites in a Zeolite Framework by Using Organic Structure‐Directing Agents

The Al location in zeolites can have massive influences on the zeolite properties because it directly correlates with the cationic active sites. Herein, the synthesis of IFR zeolites with controlled Al distribution at different tetrahedral sites (T sites) is reported. The computational calculations suggest that organic structure‐directing agents (OSDAs) used for zeolite synthesis can alter the energetically favorable T sites for Al. Zeolite products synthesized under identical conditions but with different OSDAs are found to have altered fractions of Al at different T sites in accordance with the energies derived from the zeolite–OSDA complexes. Our finding thus provides evidence for the ability of OSDAs to direct Al into more energetically favorable T sites, thereby offering rational synthetic guidelines for the selective placement of Al into specific crystallographic sites.     

Synthesis and Post-Synthesis Transformation of Germanosilicate Zeolites

Zeolites are one of the most important heterogeneous catalysts, with a high number of large-scale industrial applications. While the synthesis of new zeolites remain rather limited, introduction of germanium has substantially increased our ability to not only direct the synthesis of zeolites but also to convert them into new materials post-synthetically. The smaller Ge-O-Ge angles (vs. Si-O-Si) and lability of the Ge−O bonds in aqueous solutions account for this behaviour. This Minireview discusses critical aspects of germanosilicate synthesis and their post-synthesis transformations to porous materials.