Synthesis of Azafluorenones using Zeolites.

A convenient method for the synthesis of various azafluorenones (2a-f & 4a-d) by cyclization of substituted arylpyridines (1a-f & 3a-d) using zeolites are described.     

Multipore Zeolites: Synthesis and Catalytic Applications

In the last few years, important efforts have been made to synthesize so‐called “multipore” zeolites, which contain channels of different dimensions within the same crystalline structure. This is a very attractive subject, since the presence of pores of different sizes would favor the preferential diffusion of reactants and products through those different channel systems, allowing unique catalytic activities for specific chemical processes. In this Review we describe the most attractive achievements in the rational synthesis of multipore zeolites, containing small to extra‐large pores, and the improvements reported for relevant chemical processes when these multipore zeolites have been used as catalysts.     

Encapsulation of Metalloporphyrins in Nanometer-sized Zeolites:Synthesis,Characterization and Catalysis

The lasting extensive interest in zeolite molecular sieves, a class of nanoporous aluminosilicate oxidic crystals, lies in their three special properties:(a) the nanoscale porous cage that can serve as size- and/or shape-based host to recognize, select, and discriminate among the molecules, (b) the well-defined and controllable charge environment and charge strength inside pores that can facilitate or inhibit certain chemical processes, and (c) the well-organized pores/channels that can host the organization and assembly of molecules to display novel optical or electrochemical properties. Zeolitic materials possess yet another very important property, namely, their huge surface-to-volume ratio. Conventionally synthesized zeolites are quite large crystals with grain size at micrometer scale. This implies that the dominant portion of the "overall surface area" is attributable to the " interior surface" of nanopores/nanochannels instead of the "exterior surfaces" of the crystal powders. In many situations, this has limited the efficacy of zeolite materials, particularly in many catalysis-related applications. In order to improve the efficiency of catalysis of zeolite materials, it is often desirable to achieve a balanced ratio (~1) between interior-surface-area and exterior-surface-area, namely, to significantly reduce the size of zeolite crystals.     

Kinetics of Sorption,Desorption, and Diffusion in Zeolites

Sorption and desorption in zeolites (molecular sieves) have to be considered as complex processes, involving simultaneous diffusion in zeolite crystals, mass transfer in the intercrystalline void of a pellet, and heat transfer between the zeolitic sorbent and its surroundings. The kinetics of sorption and desorption, respectively, of n-C₄H₁₀ in zeolite X and of CO₂ in zeolite A have been investigated: only the initial rates of uptake or release of the sorbet are controlled by mass transfer alone whereas ultimately they also depend on the rate of heat transfer from the sorbent to its surroundings or vice versa. Diffusivities of the sorbate in the zeolite crystals can be obtained from the kinetics of mass transfer, provided the resistance due to viscous or Knudsen flow between the crystals of the zeolitic sorbent can be eliminated. A sample consisting of a monolayer of single crystals had to be used for this purpose in the n-butane/zeolite X system; the intracrystalline diffusivity obtained in this way is not in conflict with data obtained by NMR spectroscopy. The intracrystalline diffusivities obtained in this way—taking into account the coupling of several processes during sorption — are higher than values reported in the literature.     

ChemInform Abstract: Van Hove Function for Diffusion in Zeolites.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.     

Zeolites: Catalysts for Organic Syntheses

Zeolites have proved to be valuable technical catalysts in petrochemistry and in oil processing. The characteristic properties of zeolites, such as acidity, shape-selectivity and thermal stability also enable them to be used for highly selective synthesis in the fields of chemical intermediates and fine chemicals. This interesting area of application has grown continuously in recent years. The present article summarizes the various standard types of reaction involved in organic syntheses which can be catalyzed by zeolites; these include, inter alia, electrophilic and nucleophilic substitution reactions, isomerization of double bonds and carbon skeletons, as well as addition, elimination and hydrogenation reactions.     

Ultra-high-Silica ZSM-5 Zeolites: Synthesis and Properties

ZSM zeolites with silica ratios of 100–260 were synthesized with hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) as the structure former. IR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction identified the products with ZSM-5 zeolites with more than 90% crystallinity. The unit cell parameters, specific surface area, and morphology were determined for zeolite samples. The composition of precursor alumina—silica gel was shown to influence the physicochemical characteristics of zeolites.     

ChemInform Abstract: Theoretical Determination of Proton Affinity Differences in Zeolites.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.     

等级孔分子筛的可控合成、扩散研究及催化应用

等级孔分子筛是一类具有两种或多种以特定形式排布的孔结构的分子筛材料. 多层等级的孔结构使得分子筛孔道内的分子扩散得到显著改善, 进而提升了其在吸附和非均相催化等领域的应用性能. 等级孔分子筛的制备策略通常有两种, 即“自上而下”后处理法(如对母样分子筛进行脱铝、 脱硅产生介孔)和“自下而上”合成法(如软模板、 硬模板法). 本文主要对近20年来等级孔分子筛的合成方法进行了梳理, 并着重介绍了具有较高应用潜力的“自上而下”制备法. 鉴于合成等级孔分子筛的主要目的是提高分子的晶内扩散, 对近年来客体分子在等级孔分子筛内扩散的实验研究也进行了简要综述. 此外, 本文还综合评述了等级孔分子筛与传统分子筛在催化应用中的对比, 以展示前者在提升催化性能方面(如活性、 选择性等)的独特优势.     

Transformation of Chlorofluorocarbons on Zeolites: Dealumination

Dealumination of zeolites is regarded as a useful postsynthesis method for the modification of Si/Al ratio. Among other compounds phosgene proved to be an excellent reactant for aluminium removal from zeolite frameworks. The interaction of zeolites with chlorofluorocarbons also leads to dealumination, resulting in the formation of a phosgene intermediate that has been proven by IR and NMR spectroscopy.     

Adsorption of Nitrogen, Oxygen and Argon on Na-CeX Zeolites

Commercial type X zeolites (Linde 13X) are nitrogen selective. Oxygen is the less abundant component in air; hence oxygen selective sorbents are desired for air separation. Mixed Na-Ce type X zeolites containing different ratios of Ce³⁺/Na⁺ ions are prepared by partial ion exchange of commercial X zeolite. The adsorption isotherms of nitrogen, oxygen and argon are measured and the pure-component selectivity ratios are compared and analyzed against commercial zeolites (13X) for air separation. Oxygen selectivity over nitrogen (1.5) and argon (4.0) are seen for mixed Na-Ce type X zeolite (Si/Al = 1.25; Ce³⁺/Na⁺ < 4.0) from Henry's constant determined from low pressure adsorption measurements. The oxygen and nitrogen isotherms cross over for mixed Na-Ce type X zeolite (Si/Al = 1.25; Ce³⁺/Na⁺ < 4.0), and the pressure at which cross they over increases as Ce³⁺/Na⁺ approaches 1. The oxygen selectivity as claimed in the patent by N.V. Choudary, R.V. Jasra, and S.G.T. Bhat (US Patent no. 6,087,289, 2000) is seen only at very low pressures in the volumetric adsorption measurement and the hydrogen treatment of the Ce-exchanged samples have no effect on the adsorption characteristics.     

Shape‐Selective Alkylation of Naphthalene over Zeolites: Steric Interaction of Reagents with Zeolites

Steric interaction of reagents with zeolites was studied in isopropylation, sec‐butylation, and tert‐butylation of naphthalene (NP) over several large‐pore zeolites to elucidate the mechanism of selective catalysis. Selectivities for dialkylnaphthalene (DAN) isomers were influenced by the type of zeolite and bulkiness of alkylating agent. Selective formation of β,β‐ and 2,6‐diisopropylnaphthalene (DIPN) occurred only over H‐mordenite (MOR) in the isopropylation of NP using propene; bulky transition states of α,α‐ and α,β‐DIPN are excluded because of steric restriction by the channels, resulting in selective formation of β,β‐ and 2,6‐DIPN. However, low selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DIPN were observed over the zeolites, SSZ‐24 (AFI), SSZ‐55 (ATS), and SSZ‐42 (IFR) with 12‐membered‐ring (12‐MR) pore entrances of one‐dimensional channels, CIT‐5 (CFI), UTD‐1 (DON), and SSZ‐53 (SFH) with 14‐membered‐ring (14‐MR) pore entrances of one‐dimensional channels, and Y‐zeolite (FAU), zeolite β (BEA), and CIT‐1 (CON) with 12‐MR pore entrances of three‐dimensional channels, because their channels are too large for the exclusion of bulky isomers. Catalysis over these zeolites occurs under kinetic and/or thermodynamic control, resulting in predominant formation of α,α‐ and α,β‐DIPN at lower temperatures and an increase of the stable isomer β,β‐DIPN at higher temperatures. The selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DAN were enhanced with the increase in bulkiness of alkylating agents: 1‐butene for sec‐butylation and 2‐methylpropene for tert‐butylation. In particular, β,β‐di‐tert‐butylnaphthalene (DTBN) was selectively formed in the tert‐butylation. The selectivities for β,β‐ and 2,6‐DAN were enhanced even in large channels: the transition states of the least bulky isomers only fit the channels because other bulky isomers are excluded by steric restriction of the channels. However, tert‐butylation over FAU, BEA, and CON had selectivities for 2,6‐DTBN of around 50–60%, although selectivities for β,β‐DTBN were almost 100% selectivity; these zeolites can hardly recognize the differences between 2,6‐ and 2,7‐DTBN. The results indicate that the fitting of the least bulky isomers to zeolite channels, leading to the exclusion of other bulky isomers, is essential for highly shape‐selective catalysis.