Understanding the synthesis and reactivity of ADORable zeolites using NMR spectroscopy

Zeolites remain one of the most important classes of industrial catalysts used today, and with the urgent drive for the transition from petrochemical to renewable feedstocks, there is a renewed interest in developing new types of zeolite. Recent synthetic advances in the field have included the development of the assembly-disassembly-organisation-reassembly (ADOR) method. In this short review, we will discuss how solid-state NMR experiments can be used to probe the mechanism of the process by characterising the structure of the intermediates and products, show how ¹⁷O NMR spectroscopy can be used to probe the reactivity of ADORable zeolites and explain how this, in turn, can lead to fundamental questions of how zeolites behave in the presence of liquid water.     

Understanding cellulose dissolution: effect of the cation and anion structure of ionic liquids on the solubility of cellulose

The effect of ionic liquids (ILs) on the solubility of cellulose was investigated by changing their anions and cations. The structural variation included 11 kinds of cations in combination with 4 kinds of anions. The interaction between the IL and cellobiose, the repeating unit of cellulose, was clarified through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The reason for different dissolving capabilities of various ILs was revealed. The hydrogen bonding interaction between the IL and hydroxyl was the major force for cellulose dissolution. Both the anion and cation in the IL formed hydrogen bonds with cellulose. Anions associated with hydrogen atoms of hydroxyls, and cations favored the formation of hydrogen bonds with oxygen atoms of hydroxyls by utilizing activated protons in imidazolium ring. Weakening of either the hydrogen bonding interaction between the anion and cellulose, or that between the cation and cellulose, or both, decreases the capability of ILs to dissolve cellulose.     

Understanding the barriers to crystal growth: dynamical simulation of the dissolution and growth of urea from aqueous solution

Both the dissolution and growth of a molecular crystalline material, urea, has been studied using dynamical atomistic simulation. The kinetic steps of dissolution and growth are clearly identified, and the activation energies for each possible step are calculated. Our molecular dynamics simulations indicate that crystal growth on the [001] face is characterized by a nucleation and growth mechanism. Nucleation on the [001] urea crystal face is predicted to occur at a very high rate, followed by rapid propagation of the steps. The rate-limiting step for crystallization is actually found to be the removal of surface defects, rather than the initial formation of the next surface layer. Through kinetic Monte Carlo modeling of the surface growth, it is found that this crystal face evolves via a rough surface topography, rather than a clean layer-by-layer mechanism.     

Kinetics of the adsorptional deformation of zeolites

Adsorptional deformation in the Xe-CaA system has been studied at 303 K; the kinetics of adsorption and deformation has been investigated. A kinetic model of deformation is proposed based on the principle of the instantaneous establishment of local deformational equilibrium. Kinetic deformation curves based on this model are plotted that have local extrema above equilibrium values or in the negative region. It is shown that when Xe is adsorbed by CaA zeolite and trans-2-butene is adsorbed by NaA zeolite, the time required for deformational equilibrium to be established is negligibly small, and that deformation at any point of time at any point in the crystal is in equilibrium with respect to adsorption and temperature.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1948–1951, September, 1990.     

Surface organometallic chemistry on zeolites: A tool for modifying the sorption properties of zeolites

The shape selective properties of zeolites can be modified by reaction of their surface functional groups with hydride, alkyl or alkoxy complexes of main group elements. The different methods are reviewed and their effects analyzed.     

Studies on the conversion of isopentane over shape selective zeolites II., H-Zn-ZSM-11 zeolites

Studies on the conversion ofi-pentane over Zn containing zeolites have been carried out under different reaction conditions. The incorporation of Zn²⁺ as counter-ion into ZSM-11 zeolite modified the activation mode of the alkane, generating highly reactive intermediates and enhanced the aromatic yields.     

Surprises in the structural chemistry of zeolites

High-resolution electron microscopy, apart from strikingly confirming the correctness of the X-ray-based models for the skeletal structure of the aluminosilicate frameworks of zeolites, points to the existence of new families of ordered, crystalline microporous solids (e.g., with composition A_xB_xC_m?xO_2m · nH₂O, where A is an exchangeable monovalent cation, B is Al or Ga, C is Si or Ge, and x, m, n are integers.) It also reveals crystalline imperfections and unexpected superlattice structures in A-type and faujasitic zeolites, and the nature of the intergrowths in, for example, $\text{ZSM-5}\text{ZSM-11}$ materials. The short-range order of Si and Al within the aluminosilicate framework may be directly explored by magic-angle-spinning NMR (MASNMR) employing ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al nuclei. This technique probes the site symmetry and environment of these atoms. Al in tetrahedral as well as in octahedral sites may be readily identified and so may the populations of groups such as Si(OAl)₄, Si(OAl)₃, (OSi), etc., so that new information is obtained pertaining to Si, Al ordering in a variety of zeolitic solids.     

Simulating the relaxation dynamics of microwave-driven zeolites

We have performed equilibrium and nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to study how microwave (MW)-heated zeolite systems relax to thermal equilibrium. We have simulated the relaxation of both ionic and dipolar phases in FAU-type zeolites, finding biexponential relaxation in all cases studied. Fast-decay times were uniformly below 1 ps, while slow-decay times were found to be as long as 14 ps. Fast-decay times increase with an increase in the initial temperature difference between MW-heated ions/dipoles and the equilibrium system. Slow-decay times were found to be relatively insensitive to the details of the MW-heated nonequilibrium state. Velocity, force, and orientational correlation functions, calculated at equilibrium to explore the natural dynamics of energy transfer, decay well before 1 ps and show little evidence of biexponential decay. In contrast, kinetic energy correlation functions show strong biexponential behavior with slow-decay times as long as 14 ps. We suggest a two-step mechanism involving initial, efficient energy transfer mediated by strongly anharmonic zeolite-guest forces, followed by a slower process mediated by weakly anharmonic couplings among normal modes of the zeolite framework. In addition to elucidating relaxation from MW-heated states, we expect that these studies will shed light on energy transfer in other contexts, such as adsorption and reaction in zeolites, which often involve significant heat release.     

A priori phase prediction of zeolites: case study of the structure-directing effects in the synthesis of MTT-type zeolites

This study first uses molecular modeling to examine the structure-directing effects of small amines that are selective for the crystallization of MTT-type zeolite phases. The optimized van der Waals interactions of these small amines are compared within the one-dimensional pore zeolites with the MTT, TON, and MTW frameworks. From these results and our previous molecular modeling studies of structure-directing agents (SDA) for MTT-type zeolites, a large number of amines or quaternary ammonium molecules are successfully predicted to be selective for MTT phases. These molecules were chosen by matching the crystallographic periodicity of the pore structure with the distances between the centers of branched groups in these molecules. These molecules vary in length and in the number of branched moieties, and a few of these molecules are polymeric or oligomeric. In test cases where the distances between the branched groups are not multiples of the pore periodicity, with few exceptions these molecules usually do not produce MTT phases. Finally, we discuss the inorganic conditions necessary for crystallization of MTT phases in borosilicate preparations with some of the diamines in this investigation.     

On the acidic properties of H-SABO zeolites

Computer handling of TPAD data reveals a decreasing strength of Brönsted sites and forced diffusion limitations caused by incorporation of boron at pentasil type zeolite lattice positions.

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Isomerization of dimethylnaphthalenes over zeolites

A dimethylnaphthalene (DMN) isomer mixture from a reforming unit was reacted at 350°C and atmospheric pressure over H-mordenites (Si/Al ranging from 5 to 100), a partially decationated NaY (Si/Al=2.4) and a slightly dealuminated HY (Si/Al=5), with the aim of increasing the 2,6- and 2,7-DMN content by isomerization. The best results were obtained on H-mordenite with Si/Al=10, where shape selective effects made possible to double the amount of the valuable isomers while limiting to a negligible extent the side reactions of disproportionation and dealkylation.     

Intracrystalline diffusion in zeolites

Conclusions A technique for measuring diffusion coefficients for rapid sorption processes has been proposed and applied for studying intracrystalline mass transfer in zeolites.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1217–1219, June, 1981.     

NMR studies concerning the dehydroxylation of zeolites HY

By applying the magic-angle spinning technique to proton magnetic resonance of zeolites HY two or three different lines could be separated. Measurement     

FTIR characterization of metal-loaded zeolites

FTIR transmission spectra of self-supporting zeolite wafers of Na₁₂A (Linde 4A), Na_3.6Ca_4.2A (Linde 5A) and Ag_11.8Na_0.2A in the range of 20 to 13 500 cm^–1 are reported. Reduction of Ag⁺ by H₂ is probed directly in the FAR IR and indirectly by adsorption of CO and CO₂.     

Thermal analysis of NaMgA zeolites

Water desorption from NaMgA zeolites was investigated as a function of magnesium ion content with the help of thermal analytical methods such as combined TG-DTG-DTA, TMA and X-ray heating technique. At least five partly overlapping desorption effects of water were observed from DTA and DTG features. The amount of water corresponding to individual desorption peaks was determined by experimental methods of separation. An assignment of the desorption effects to the related adsorbed forms of water is suggested.     

Spectroscopic signatures of nitrogen-substituted zeolites

Nanoporous acid catalysts such as zeolites form the backbone of catalytic technologies for refining petroleum. With the promise of a biomass economy, new catalyst systems will have to be discovered, making shape-selective base catalysts especially important because of the high oxygen content in biomass-derived feedstocks. Strongly basic zeolites are attractive candidates, but such materials are notoriously difficult to make due to the strong inherent acidity of aluminosilicates. Several research groups have endeavored to produce strongly basic zeolites by treating zeolites with amines, but to date there is no compelling evidence that nitrogen is incorporated into zeolite frameworks. In this communication, we detail synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, and quantum mechanical calculations showing that nitrogen adds onto both surface and interior sites while preserving the framework structure of zeolites. This finding is crucial for the rational design of new biomass-refinement catalysts, allowing 50 years of zeolite science to be brought to bear on the catalytic synthesis of biofuels.