Controllably Confined ZnO on USY Zeolites (USY@ZnO/Al2O3) as Efficient Lewis Acid Catalysts for Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation

A ZnAl‐LDHs (layered double hydroxides) phase was readily formed on the surface of a USY zeolite through a distinctive in situ growth method that benefitted from the interaction of the added Zn source and aluminum species extracted from the Al‐rich USY zeolite crystals. The migration of aluminum and simultaneous interaction with the external Zn source took place in one pot to form a ZnAl‐LDHs phase coated on the surface of the USY crystals. Upon calcination, the ZnAl‐LDHs phase was transformed into a ZnO/Al₂O₃ composite that was still firmly anchored on the USY zeolite, without sacrificing the core–shell structure. The resultant USY@ZnO/Al₂O₃ materials gave rise to unique Lewis acidity and hierarchical porosity, which endowed the catalyst with promising performance in the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of ketones with H₂O₂ or bulky tert‐butyl hydroxide as an oxidant.     

Facile Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Behavior of a Large‐Pore Zeolite with the IWV Framework

Large‐pore microporous materials are of great interest to process bulky hydrocarbon and biomass‐derived molecules. ITQ‐27 (IWV) has a two‐dimensional pore system bounded by 12‐membered rings (MRs) that lead to internal cross‐sections containing 14 MRs. Investigations into the catalytic behavior of aluminosilicate (zeolite) materials with this framework structure have been limited until now due to barriers in synthesis. The facile synthesis of aluminosilicate IWV in both hydroxide and fluoride media is reported herein using simple, diquaternary organic structure‐directing agents (OSDAs) that are based on tetramethylimidazole. In hydroxide media, a zeolite product with Si/Al=14.8–23.2 is obtained, while in fluoride media an aluminosilicate product with Si/Al up to 82 is synthesized. The material produced in hydroxide media is tested for the hydroisomerization of n‐hexane, and results from this test reaction suggest that the effective pore size of zeolites with the IWV framework structure is similar to but slightly larger than that of ZSM‐12 (MTW), in fairly good agreement with crystallographic data.     

模板剂缓释法合成分子筛大单晶

在分子筛的合成中,通过使用四咪唑基取代的硼类化合物(四咪唑硼钠)作为模板剂,在溶剂热条件下,成功得到了磷酸铝盐分子筛AlPO₄-11的大单晶。电喷雾质谱、¹⁹F和¹¹B NMR等研究结果表明,在溶剂热条件下四咪唑硼钠起到了缓释剂的作用,其自身经历缓慢分解,持续释放低浓度咪唑分子的过程。由其释放出来的咪唑分子起到事实上的模板作用。因其浓度较低,限制了分子筛结晶过程中晶核形成的数量,从而易于导向分子筛大单晶的生成。通过引入不同种类的四取代硼类化合物作为模板剂,这种分子筛大单晶的合成策略可潜在应用于其它分子筛材料。     

模板剂缓释法合成分子筛大单晶

在分子筛的合成中,通过使用四咪唑基取代的硼类化合物（四咪唑硼钠）作为模板剂,在溶剂热条件下,成功得到了磷酸铝盐分子筛AlPO₄-11的大单晶。电喷雾质谱、¹⁹F和¹¹B NMR等研究结果表明,在溶剂热条件下四咪唑硼钠起到了缓释剂的作用,其自身经历缓慢分解,持续释放低浓度咪唑分子的过程。由其释放出来的咪唑分子起到事实上的模板作用。因其浓度较低,限制了分子筛结晶过程中晶核形成的数量,从而易于导向分子筛大单晶的生成。通过引入不同种类的四取代硼类化合物作为模板剂,这种分子筛大单晶的合成策略可潜在应用于其它分子筛材料。     

Pervaporation Separation and Catalysis Activity of Novel Zirconium Silicalite-1 Zeolite Membrane

Novel zirconium silicalite‐1 zeolite membrane was hydrothermally prepared on the mullite porous support at 150–185°C for 40–72 h by an "in situ" method using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), zirconium butoxide (ZBOT) and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) as silica source, zirconium source and organic structure directing agent, respectively. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, fourier transformed infrared (FT‐IR) spectra, and inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry (ICP) of the accompanying zeolite powder confirmed that the zirconium was isomorphously incorporated into the zeolite framework. The surface chemical compositions of the obtained membrane were measured with an energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectral analyzer (EDS), and the membrane morphologies were observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the zeolite crystals growing on the support were zirconium silicalite‐1 zeolites, and the dense membrane layer was composed of the well inter‐growing zeolite crystals. The zirconium silicalite‐1 zeolite membrane, which was derived from the synthesis solution having a molar ratio of 1.00SiO₂:0.01ZrO₂:0.17TPAOH:120H₂O, showed high ethanol permselectivity with a flux of 1.01 kg/(m²·h) accompanied with a separation factor of 73 for ethanol/water (5/95, w/w) system under a pervaporation condition at 60°C. Moreover, this membrane displayed pervaporation‐aided catalysis activity for iso‐propanol oxidation with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, and the corresponding iso‐propanol conversion was 35%.     

β‐Diketiminate Stabilized Magnesium Hydroxide,Heterobimetallic, and Halide Complexes: Synthesis and X‐ray Structural Studies

The controlled hydrolysis of heteroleptic magnesium amide, LMgN(SiMe₃)₂ (L = CH[C(Me)N(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)]₂) with water afforded the corresponding hydroxide [LMg(OH)·THF]₂ as air and moisture sensitive compound. The presence of a sterically bulky β‐diketiminate ligand prevents the self‐condensation reaction of this hydroxide complex. Single crystal X‐ray analysis shows that the hydroxide is dimeric in the solid state. Reaction of the magnesium amide or LMg(Me)·OEt₂ with LAlMe(OH) generates the heterobimetallic species containing the Mg–O–Al moiety. Additionally, the reaction of methylmagnesiumchloride with the free ligand leads to complex L′MgCl (L′ = CH[Et₂NCH₂CH₂N(CMe)]₂). As revealed by the crystal structure, L′MgCl is a solvent free monomeric magnesium chloride complex that is analogues to the Grignard reagent.     

Crystallization of ZSM-12 Zeolite with Different Si/Al Ratio

In this work the acid properties of a series of HZSM-12 zeolites with different Si/Al ratio were studied. The ZSM-12 crystals were synthesized by the hydrothermal method starting from a gel with the following molar composition: 20MTEA:10Na₂O:x Al₂O₃:100SiO₂:2000H₂O, with x = 0.50, 0.67, 1, 1.25 and 2, respectively. The gels were crystallized at 140^∘C for 6 days, then washed, dried and calcined to remove the MTEA template. The samples were ion-exchanged with an ammonium chloride solution and calcined again to obtain the zeolites in the acid form. The materials thus obtained were characterized by XRD, SEM, BET, TG and n-butylamine adsorption. The Si/Al ratio in the reaction mixture affects the amount of zeolite produced and the size of the particles. The XRD analysis indicated that the ZSM-12 zeolite crystallizes in a pure form only with Si/Al ratio above 33. The SEM analysis showed the presence of crystallites with very well defined prismatic shapes. The removal of the MTEA of the pores of the ZSM-12 by TG indicated that there are two kinds of internal sites occupied by MTEA inside the structure. The BET area of the ZSM-12 decreases proportionally with the crystallinity of materials. The desorption of n-butylamine showed that the acid site density is proportional to aluminum content, but the Si/Al ratio shows little influence on the relative strengths of these sites.     

Li2Sr4Al2Ta2N8O,a Nitridoalumotantalate with BCT‐Zeolite Type Structure

Li₂Sr₄Al₂Ta₂N₈O was synthesized from Li₃AlN₂, Sr(NH₂)₂, LiN₃, and lithium metal as fluxing agent in weld shut tantalum crucibles. Single crystals were obtained as byproduct from reaction with the ampoule material. The crystal structure (P2₁/n (no. 14), a = 9.4081(19), b = 10.012(2), c = 5.9832(12) Å, β = 93.44(3)°, Z = 2) was solved on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Li₂Sr₄Al₂Ta₂N₈O is built up of vertex sharing AlN₄ and TaN₄ tetrahedra, forming a BCT‐zeolite type structure with Sr²⁺ ions and molecular Li₂O units incorporated into the voids. Lattice energy calculations (MAPLE) confirmed the electrostatic bonding interactions and the chemical composition.     

Introduction of vanadium species in <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis> zeolite by solid-state reaction: spectroscopic study of V speciation and molecular mechanism

V-containing β zeolites were prepared by solid-state reaction between V₂O₅ and β zeolite. The zeolite structure was analysed by XRD and N₂ physisorption. The V speciation was studied by chemical analysis and different spectroscopies (FT-IR, ²⁷Al-NMR, UV-Vis, EPR, photoluminescence). After calcination of V₂O₅-β zeolite mechanical mixtures at 500°C, three kinds of V species were identified: (i) oligomeric vanadates with octahedral V⁵⁺ easily removed by treatment with NH₄OAc, (ii) isolated vanadyl (V=O)²⁺ ions in axially distorted octahedral or square pyramidal environment, interacting with framework and/or extraframework Al nuclei and (iii) isolated V⁵⁺ in tetrahedral and octahedral environments, localized in framework defect sites. The amount of the latter species is higher when water vapor is present during calcination and when parent β zeolite contains a high concentration of defect sites generated by a strong acid pretreatment. Isolated V⁵⁺ are easily reduced to tetrahedral V⁴⁺ or to square pyramidal (V=O)²⁺. Possible models of the mechanism of formation of V species by solid-state reaction and further reduction are proposed.     

Mesopores in USY Zeolites II

Microporous zeolites Na‐Y and K‐Y were converted into the NaNH₄‐Y and KNH₄‐Y modifications by ion exchange being active in dealumination. Removal of framework aluminium and silicon is accompanied by formation of secondary mesopores. Internal mesopores are formed in the centre of zeolite crystals and external pores at their surface. Formation of mesopores changes the sorption behaviour.Residual alkali metal cations as Na⁺ or K⁺ stabilise, however, the framework ≡Si‐O‐Al≡ bonds. Because of inhomogeneous distribution of sodium ions, in NaNH₄‐Y less internal but more external mesopores are formed. Potassium ions of KNH₄‐Y are more homogeneous distributed over the framework why a more balanced formation of secondary pores takes place.     

Catalytic activity of H-ZSM-5 and H-ZSM-5/AL-MCM-41 in the conversion of ethanol to gasoline fraction hydrocarbons

H-ZSM-5 (Si/Al = 10.6 and 20) efficiently catalyzes the transformation of ethanol into C₅-C₁₂ gasoline hydrocarbons in 27–33 mass % yield at 320°C and feed rate 20 mmol C₂H₅OH/(gcat·h). Only ethylene is produced on the mesoporous zeolite H-ZSM-5/Al-MCM-41 with 100% ethanol conversion. This discrepancy may be attributed to blockage of the ZSM-5 micropores in the mesoporous zeolite structure.     

Hexagonal Double Perovskite Cs2AgCrCl6

The quaternary halide Cs₂AgCrCl₆ was prepared in the form of dark purple crystals by reaction of CsCl, AgCl, and CrCl₃, at 700 °C. It crystallizes in the trigonal Ba₂NiTeO₆‐type structure [space group R3 m, Z = 6, a = 7.2692(4) Å, c = 36.443(2) Å] belonging to the family of perovskite polytypes containing sequences of hexagonal close‐packed layers. Groups of three face‐sharing octahedra, which are occupied in the sequence Ag–Cr–Ag, are connected through corner‐sharing by Cr‐centered octahedra. The UV/Vis/NIR diffuse reflectance spectrum shows absorptions arising from d–d transitions typical of octahedral Cr³⁺ complexes, as confirmed by electronic structure calculations. The compound melts at 506 °C. Magnetic measurements revealed simple paramagnetic behavior consistent with the presence of isolated Cr³⁺ ions.     

Orthorhombic aluminium oxyfluoride,AlOF

Crystals of the title compound were extracted from the bulk of grown SrAlF₅ crystals as unexpected inclusions that were identified as the long sought after aluminium oxyfluoride. The structure of AlOF is built up from tetrahedral and octahedral polyhedra. Each tetrahedron is bisected by a mirror plane, with the Al atom and two vertex anions in the plane. All tetrahedral vertices are positions of competing oxide and fluoride ions and are shared with octahedra. These shared vertices belong to two octahedral edges which join the octahedra to form infinite zigzag chains. The chains are strung along twofold screw axes that run parallel to the unit‐cell b axis. The remaining two octahedral vertices are occupied only by fluoride ions. A small deficiency in the occupation of the octahedral Al position was suggested by the refinement. However, the stoichiometry of the compound is AlOF within experimental uncertainty. The Al—F(O) distances are separated into three groups with average values of 1.652 (3) (tetrahedra), 1.800 (2) (octahedra) and 1.894 (2) Å (octahedra). This structure differs widely from the reported tetragonal phase Al_1−xO_1−3xF_1+3x (x = 0.0886) [Kutoglu (1992). Z. Kristallogr. 199 , 197–201], which consists solely of octahedral structural units.     

Hexane Cracking over Steamed Phosphated Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5: Promotional Effect on Catalyst Performance and Stability

The nature behind the promotional effect of phosphorus on the catalytic performance and hydrothermal stability of zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 has been studied using a combination of ²⁷Al and ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy, soft X‐ray absorption tomography and n‐hexane catalytic cracking, complemented with NH₃ temperature‐programmed desorption and N₂ physisorption. Phosphated H‐ZSM‐5 retains more acid sites and catalytic cracking activity after steam treatment than its non‐phosphated counterpart, while the selectivity towards propylene is improved. It was established that the stabilization effect is twofold. First, the local framework silico‐aluminophosphate (SAPO) interfaces, which form after phosphatation, are not affected by steam and hold aluminum atoms fixed in the zeolite lattice, preserving the pore structure of zeolite H‐ZSM‐5. Second, the four‐coordinate framework aluminum can be forced into a reversible sixfold coordination by phosphate. These species remain stationary in the framework under hydrothermal conditions as well. Removal of physically coordinated phosphate after steam‐treatment leads to an increase in the number of strong acid sites and increased catalytic activity. We propose that the improved selectivity towards propylene during catalytic cracking can be attributed to local SAPO interfaces located at channel intersections, where they act as impediments in the formation of bulky carbenium ions and therefore suppress the bimolecular cracking mechanism.     

Preparation and Charactrization of Fibrous Crystals of Boron-containing MTW-type Zeolite

Fibrous crystals of boron-containing MTW-type zeolite have been hydrothermally synthesized in B2O3-SiO2-HF-H2O gel system at 170℃ in 20 to 28d by using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO) and methylamine as the co-template, and characterized with XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM and SAED. The results of characterizations show that B atoms are incorporated into the zeolite framework as tetrahedron of B(OSi)4. The fibrous single crystals of 5-50μm in length and 100-500nm in width inter-grow along the c-axis of the zeolite, and the one dimension 12 oxygen ring channels are perpendicular to the fibber axis.     

Synthesis of a Ferrolite: A Zeolitic All‐Iron Framework

Crystals of the first sodalite‐type zeolite containing an all‐iron framework, a ferrolite, Ba₈(Fe₁₂O₂₄)Na_y(OH)₆?x H₂O, were synthesized using the hydroflux method in nearly quantitative yield. Ba₈(Fe₁₂O₂₄)Na_y(OH)₆?x H₂O crystallizes in the cubic space group with a=10.0476(1) Å. Slightly distorted FeO₄ tetrahedra are linked to form Fe₄O₄ and Fe₆O₆ rings, which in turn yield channels and internal cavities that are characteristic of the sodalite structure. Barium, sodium, and hydroxide ions and water molecules are found in the channels and provide charge balance. Magnetic measurements indicate that the ferrolite exhibits magnetic order up to at least 700 K, with the field‐cooled and zero‐field‐cooled curves diverging. Analysis of the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra revealed two spectral components that have equal spectral areas, indicating the presence of two subsets of iron centers in the structure. Dehydrated versions of the ferrolite were also prepared by heating the sample.     

Reactivity of Extra‐framework Species of USY Zeolites in Alkaline Medium

Zeolites of type USY (ultra‐stable Y) were obtained by steaming of NH₄NaY modification. Samples were modified by subsequent alkaline treatment in KOH solution. USY and USY‐KOH were characterised by chemical element analysis, XRD, IR, ²⁹Al and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopic measurements. Correct silicon to aluminium ratios (Si/Al) were determined by XRD and IR (double ring vibration w_DR) data whereas values calculated according to data of ²⁹Si MAS NMR and IR spectroscopy (asymmetrical TOT valence vibration w_TOT) appeared to be too high., In the latter case, the signals of the zeolite framework were strongly superimposed by that of extra‐framework silica gel (EFSi) formed during steaming. It was found that alkaline leaching induces desilication of silicon‐rich area of the zeolite framework and partial dissolution of EFSi. Silicate ions of both react with likewise dissolved extra‐framework aluminium (EFAl) to form X‐ray amorphous aluminosilicate. Consequently, the superposition of the ²⁹Si MAS NMR signals of the zeolite framework by silica gel was reduced for Q⁴(0Al) but increased for Q⁴ (2Al) and Q⁴(3Al) structure units. A reinsertion of EFAl into the zeolite framework has not been observed.     

Layered double hydroxides: a novel nano-sorbent for solid-phase extraction

The nickel–aluminum layered double hydroxide (Ni–Al LDH) was synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method with controlled pH and followed by hydrothermal treatment. The obtained nano-structured inorganic material was employed, for the first time, as a new solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbent for the extraction and pre-concentration of trace levels of fluoride ions from aqueous solutions. An indirect method was used for monitoring of extracted fluoride ions. The method is based on the quenching effect of extracted fluoride ions upon the fluorescence intensity of Al–oxine complex via the forming of AlF₆³⁻, which was determined spectrofluorometrically at λ_em = 510 nm with excitation at λ_ex = 404 nm. The effect of several parameters such as type of interlayer anion in Ni–Al LDH structure, pH, sample flow rate, elution conditions, amount of nano-sorbent, sample volume and co-existing ions on the extraction efficiency of the analyte were investigated. The results showed that fluoride ions could be retained on the Ni–Al (NO₃⁻) LDH at pH 6.0 and stripped by 1.2 mL of 3.0 mol L⁻¹ NaOH. In the optimum experimental conditions, the limit of detection (3 s) and enrichment factor were 9.0 ng mL⁻¹ and 50, respectively. The optimized method was successfully applied to the determination of fluoride concentration in various water samples. The results obtained from the proposed method were successfully compared with those provided by standard SPADNS method.     

The New Homoleptic Tetracyanamidoaluminate LiBa2[Al(CN2)4]

The new tetracyanamidoaluminate LiBa₂[Al(CN₂)₄] was prepared by solid state metathesis reaction in a fused copper ampoule from a mixture of BaF₂, AlF₃, and Li₂(CN₂) at 550 °C. The crystal structure was solved and refined based on single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data [P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 4, a = 6.843(1) Å, b = 11.828(2) Å, c = 11.857(2) Å]. The compound belongs to the known formula type LiM₂[Al(CN₂)₄] (M = Sr, Eu) containing the homoleptic [Al(CN₂)₄]^5– ion. However, LiBa₂[Al(CN₂)₄] forms a distinct crystal structure, containing a two‐dimensional [(NCN)_2/2Li(NCN)₂Al(NCN)_2/2] network with four‐coordinate Li⁺ and Al³⁺ ions. Two crystallographically independent Ba²⁺ ions are situated in eightfold environment of terminal nitrogen atoms of cyanamide ions.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Quaternary Thio­aluminogermanates A(AlS2)(GeS2) (A = Na,K)

The quaternary thioaluminogermanates Na(AlS₂)(GeS₂) ( 1 ) and K(AlS₂)(GeS₂) ( 2 ) crystallize in the tetragonal space group I4/mcm (no. 140) with unit cell parameters a = 7.4274(11) Å, c = 5.8560(12) Å for Na(AlS₂)(GeS₂) and a = 7.8826(2) Å, c = 5.8642(4) Å for K(AlS₂)(GeS₂). The crystal structure comprises of one‐dimensional [(AlS₂)(GeS₂)]^– anionic chains with Al and Ge sharing the tetrahedral site. The alkali metal cations fill the square antiprismatic voids between chains. Both 1 and 2 are semiconductors with bandgap of around 3.6 eV and 3.5 eV, respectively.