Base-induced Brönsted Acid Sites on Dealuminated HY Zeolite: A Solid-state NMR Spectroscopy Study

Using trimethylphosphine (TMP) and d₅-pyridine(deuterated pyridine) as the basic probe molecules, the concentrations of Brönsted acid sites on both HY zeolite and dealuminated HY zeolite have been quantitatively determined using solid-state ¹H and ³¹P magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR. After adsorption of the probe molecules, the concentration of Brönsted acid sites on the dealuminated HY zeolite increases by about 25%, whereas that in the parent HY sample remains almost unchanged. The increase in the concentration of Brönsted acid sites is due to the appearance of base-induced Brönsted acid sites in the dealuminated HY zeolite. The terminal SiOH in the vicinity of the aluminum atom is “induced” to form a bridging hydroxyl group (SiOHAl) in the presence of the basic probe molecules. The mechanism of formation of the induced Brönsted acid sites has also been discussed.     

Configuration of MFI-type zeolite interacting with the probe molecule P(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> – a theoretical study

With P(CH₃)₃ as the probe molecule adsorbed on titanium silicalite (TS-1) zeolite, the special and important role of T12 site in MFI-type zeolite was clearly elucidated. There are altogether three active sites present in TS-1 zeolite with Ti at the T12 site. Owing to the preferential adsorption of probe molecules on the first Brönsted acidic site, the Ti12 center will probably fail to show Lewis acidity. The ionic [HP(CH₃)₃]⁺ species can be stabilized by the first or second Brönsted acidic site, with the former energetically favored. The latter was formed through the transfer of the ionic [HP(CH₃)₃]⁺ species from the first to the second Brönsted acidic site.     

Methanol to Gasoline over ZSM-5 Zeolite Treated with Alkaline Mixture with Different Ratios of TBA<Superscript>+</Superscript>/OH<Superscript>–</Superscript>

The influence of ZSM-5 (SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 50) treatment with a tetrabutylamine hydroxide (TBAOH)/NaOH mixture having different mole ratios on its physicochemical properties and catalytic performance in the reaction of methanol to gasoline (MTG) was investigated. It was found that, with increasing ratio TBA⁺/OH^–, the crystallinities, micropore surface areas, micropore volumes, the amounts of strong acid sites and Brönsted acid sites gradually increased, and the mesopore volumes decreased. The treatment with pure TBAOH (TBA⁺/OH^– = 1.0) ensured the formation of narrow and uniform intracrystalline mesoporosity and the large amounts of strong or Brönsted acid sites on the zeolite, which contribute to the highest liquid hydrocarbon yield in the reaction of MTG.     

Synthesis of nano-sized zeolite-Y functionalized with 5-amino-3-thiomethyl 1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile for effective Fe(III)-chelating strategy

Zeolite crystals having faujasite-type (FAU) topology in the nanometer range were first synthesized from amorphous rice husk ash at a low temperature of 363 K under autogenous pressure. Following this, surface functionalization of the produced zeolite with 5-amino-3-thiomethyl 1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile (pyrazole; Py) was carried out by two different methods, namely liquefied-period adsorption of Py (Py/Y_im) and a flexible ligand method (Py/Y_ss). The latter provides a larger amount of Py formed into as-made zeolite-Y. The sorption of Fe(III) onto Py/NaY afforded large meso–macroporosity introduced by the aggregation–assembly between Fe(III)Py complexes and NaY zeolite, which was typically evidenced for Fe(III)Py/Y_ss. The materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA) and porous structure by N₂ adsorption–desorption at 77 K. The XRD evaluation showed that the zeolite structure was managed right after adding Fe(III) to Py/Y, although a change in intensity of the zeolite reflections on complex formation was noticed. The FT-IR spectrum of Fe(III)Py/Y_ss exhibited two bands at 3594 and 3542 cm^?1 assigned to bridging hydroxyl groups associated with a Brönsted site, which did not exist in the spectra of Fe(III)Py/Y_im and Fe(III)-exchanged as-made NaY zeolite. This effect was ascribed to the induced greater electronegativity of the ligand towards Fe(III) species in dissociation of water molecules, producing acidic protons that are potential Brönsted acid sites. It was also evident that the Fe(III) adsorption capacity on Py/Y_ss is greater than on as-made NaY zeolite and Py/Y_im, owing most likely to the increasing concentration of the incorporating Py ligand which leads to an increase in the number of binding sites. The Fe(III) adsorption onto Py/Y_ss was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Density functional theory (B3LYP/6-311G*) was performed to understanding the interaction mode of the ligand and complex with zeolite. The QSPR was calculated depending on the optimization geometries, frontier molecular orbitals, thermodynamic parameters, and global chemical reactivates, which were discussed for the studied compounds. The HOMOs, LUMOs and molecular electrostatic potentials were plotted to elucidate the interaction manner of the tested compounds with the zeolite. The nonlinear optical properties were elucidated via 1st and 2nd hyper-polarizabilities. The auto-degradation behavior was predicted for the complex, based on the ionization optional and bond dissociation enthalpy. The interactions between P_y and Fe(III)P_y with the zeolite surface have been described with molecular dynamics using a Monte Carlo simulation.     

Direct Detection of Supramolecular Reaction Centers in the Methanol‐to‐Olefins Conversion over Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 by 13C–27Al Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

Hydrocarbon‐pool chemistry is important in methanol to olefins (MTO) conversion on acidic zeolite catalysts. The hydrocarbon‐pool (HP) species, such as methylbenzenes and cyclic carbocations, confined in zeolite channels during the reaction are essential in determining the reaction pathway. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate the formation of supramolecular reaction centers composed of organic hydrocarbon species and the inorganic zeolite framework in H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite by advanced ¹³C–²⁷Al double‐resonance solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Methylbenzenes and cyclic carbocations located near Brønsted acid/base sites form the supramolecular reaction centers in the zeolite channel. The internuclear spatial interaction/proximity between the ¹³C nuclei (associated with HP species) and the ²⁷Al nuclei (associated with Brønsted acid/base sites) determines the reactivity of the HP species. The closer the HP species are to the zeolite framework Al, the higher their reactivity in the MTO reaction.     

Comparison of the acidic properties of ZSM-5 zeolites isomorphously substituted by Ga,In, B and Fe

The acidic properties of isomorphously substituted MFI-type zeolites prepared and pretreated in the same way were studied to obtain an exact gradation of the intrinsic acidity caused by the incorporation of Ga, Fe, In and B instead of Al into the framework. The nature, strength and concentration of the acidic sites were studied by temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (TPDA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The assignment of the two peaks observed in the TPDA plots of all zeolite samples required the additional registration of the decomposition plot of the ammonium form in the cases of In-ZSM-5 and B-ZSM-5. A temperature program with two ramps and an intermediate isothermal hold was used to separate the low-temperature peak from the high-temperature peak. In this way, the Brönsted sites could be determined more clearly on samples containing a high portion of non-framework species that inhibit the egress of ammonia from the pores. The nature and the strength of the acidic sites were spectroscopically characterized by recording the stretching vibration of the bridged OH groups of Brönsted sites and the spectra of pyridine adsorbed on Brönsted and Lewis sites. The intrinsic acidity of the Brönsted sites on In-ZSM-5 could be clearly classified to be intermediate between the acid strength of B- and Fe-ZSM-5. A relation could be revealed between the frequencies of the OH-stretching vibration and the temperature of the peak maxima of ammonia desorption from the Brönsted sites of the isomorphously substituted ZSM-5 samples.     

Regioselective Hydration of Alkynes by Iron(III) Lewis/Brønsted Catalysis

The triflimide iron(III) salt [Fe(NTf₂)₃] promotes the direct hydration of terminal and internal alkynes with very good Markovnikov regioselectivities and high yields. The enhanced carbophilic Lewis acidity of the Fe^III cation mediated by the weakly‐coordinating triflimide anion is crucial for the catalytic activity. The iron(III) metal salt can be recycled in the form of the OPPh₃/[Fe(NTf₂)₃] system with similar activity and selectivity. However, spectroscopic and kinetic studies show that [Fe(NTf₂)₃] hydrolyzes under the reaction conditions and that catalytically less active Brønsted species are formed, which points to a Lewis/Brønsted co‐catalysis. This triflimide‐based catalytic system is regioselective for the hydration of internal aryl‐alkynes and opens the door to a new synthetic route to alkyl ketophenones. As a proof of concept, the synthesis of two antipsychotics Haloperidol and Melperone, with general butyrophenone‐like structure, is shown.     

Thermische Zersetzung von Pentacarbonyleisen in Zeolithen des Faujasit-Typs

Thermal Decomposition of Pentacarbonyl Iron in Faujasite-Type Zeolites The nature of the iron species resulting from the title reaction has been elucidated by thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectrometry, and by normal analytical methods. The thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)₅ adsorbed in Y-type zeolite yields pure α-Fe. In X-type zeolite Fe(CO)₅ is converted into a highly dispersed form of iron, into iron-subcarbonyl, and into high-spin Fe^II, occupying different sites of the lattice. Dealuminized zeolites adsorb Fe(CO)₅ reversibly. The estimated size of the iron(III) oxide particles formed by air oxidation is in accordance with the assumption that Fe(CO)₅ decomposes in Y-type zeolite with iron migrating to the surface of the zeolite crystals, whereas in X-type zeolite the iron remains inside the zeolite cavities.     

Asymmetric Aza-Diels–Alder Reaction with Ion-Paired—Iron Lewis Acid—Brønsted Acid Catalyst

The development and use of a multiple-activation catalyst with ion-paired Lewis acid and Brønsted acid in an asymmetric aza-Diels–Alder reaction of simple dienes (non-Danishefsky-type electron-rich dienes) was achieved by utilizing the [FeBr₂]⁺[FeBr₄]⁻ combination prepared in situ from FeBr₃ and chiral phosphoric acid. Synergistic effects of the highly active ion-paired Lewis acid [FeBr₂]⁺[FeBr₄]⁻ and a chiral Brønsted acid are important for promoting the reaction with high turnover frequency and high enantioselectivity. The multiple-activation catalyst system was confirmed using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption fine structure measurements, and theoretical studies. This study reveals that the developed catalyst promoted the reaction not only by the interaction offered by the ion-paired Lewis acid and the Brønsted acid but also noncovalent interactions.     

Acid properties of semicrystalline zeolitic mesoporous UL-ZSM-5 materials

UL-ZSM-5 materials have been prepared by templated solid-state crystallization of zeolites starting from the amorphous mesostructured aluminosilicate Al-Meso. Microcalorimetry and FTIR have been employed to characterize their surface acidity. In good agreement with ²⁷Al MAS NMR data, UL-ZSM-5 displayed an improved density and strength of Brönsted acid sites, as compared to Al-Meso, owing to the incorporation of aluminium in a tetrahedral environment similar to that of zeolite ZSM-5. Moreover, they showed an enhanced Brönsted/Lewis relative acid ratio. However, Al-Meso showed the highest concentration of strong Lewis acid sites due to its largest amount of aluminium in extraframework positions.     

HZSM-35分子筛酸性质对甲缩醛和乙酸甲酯羟醛缩合反应的影响

丙烯酸及其酯是重要的化工原料,广泛应用于涂料、粘结剂、纤维等领域,目前工业上常采用丙烯两段氧化法进行制备,但该法以石油基原料丙烯为源头,采用V/Mo/Bi等金属催化剂,不符合可持续发展理念,且存在环境污染及氧气下产物易过度氧化等问题.如何高效、安全、大规模工业化制备丙烯酸及其酯是研究者追求的目标.以乙酸甲酯(Mac)和甲醛为原料,通过羟醛缩合一步制备丙烯酸及其酯是一条完全不同于丙烯氧化法的合成路径,原料均可由煤基甲醇得到,符合我国"富煤、贫油、少气"基本能源结构,且该方法碳原子利用率为100％,副产物仅为水,属于绿色环保合成路径.本文以甲缩醛(DMM)为甲醛源,创新性地采用固体硅铝分子筛为酸性催化剂,催化DMM和MAc发生羟醛缩合反应来制备丙烯酸.硅铝分子筛具有较高的活性,可高效地催化羟醛缩合反应,且具有很好的再生性能,即使催化剂寿命较短,也可采用流化床或移动床等反应器进行工业化,因此具有良好的工业化前景.硅铝分子筛中常含有Br?nsted酸和Lewis酸,为试图说明羟醛缩合反应的真正活性位点,我们以羟醛缩合反应性能最佳的HZSM-35分子筛为研究目标.首先,利用红外研究HZSM-35分子筛的酸性质.发现分子筛中桥羟基提供Br?nsted酸,外骨架铝物种提供Lewis酸.通过对桥羟基红外峰一阶求导,发现其对称性较差,表明Br?nsted酸在HZSM-35分子筛孔道中分布不均匀.利用红外分峰手段,得知约51％的Br?nsted酸分布于八元环和六元环交叉所形成的笼(cage)中,约23％分布于十元环孔道,26％分布于八元环孔道中.同时,利用吡啶在分子筛HZSM-35不同温度下的吸附情况验证了这一分峰结果.其次,利用钠离子交换方法制备不同Br?nsted酸浓度的ZSM-35分子筛,经吡啶红外表征得知,Br?nsted酸浓度随钠离子交换程度增加而逐渐降低,而Lewis酸浓度并未改变;在羟醛缩合反应性能中,丙烯酸及丙烯酸甲酯选择性和收率均随Br?nsted酸浓度增加而逐渐升高,考虑到Lewis酸浓度并未变化,可知Br?nsted酸是羟醛缩合反应性能的活性位点,其浓度增加有利于羟醛缩合反应性能的提高.同时,对比不同ZSM-35分子筛失活现象,高Br?nsted酸浓度时分子筛重积炭量最高,这可能是由于Br?nsted催化不饱和产物关环生成芳烃物种或(和)发生氢转移过程所导致.     

Elucidating the Nature of the External Acid Sites of ZSM-5 Zeolites Using NMR Probe Molecules

The identification of acid and nonacid species at the external surface of zeolites remains a major challenge, in contrast to the extensively-studied internal acid sites. Here, it is shown that the synthesis of zeolite ZSM-5 samples with distinct particle sizes, combined with solid-state NMR and computational studies of trimethylphosphine oxide (TMPO) adsorption, provides insight into the chemical species on the external surface of the zeolite crystals. ¹H–³¹P HETCOR NMR spectra of TMPO-loaded zeolites exhibit a broad correlation peak at δ_P ∼35–55 ppm and δ_H ∼5–12 ppm assigned to external SiOH species. Pore-mouth Brønsted acid sites exhibit ³¹P and ¹H NMR resonances and adsorption energies close to those reported for internal acid sites interacting with TMPO. The presence of an external tricoordinate Al-Lewis site interacting strongly with TMPO is suggested, resulting in ³¹P resonances that overlap with the peaks usually ascribed to the interaction of TMPO with Brønsted sites.     

Metal—nitrogen stretching assignments in some metallophthalocyanines and μ-oxo-(Fephthalocyanine)2

Metal-isotope substitution has been employed to establish the absorptions in the i.r. spectra of some metallophthalocyanines that contain MN stretching motion. The primary MN stretching bands appear at 240.7 cm⁻¹ in ⁶⁴Znpc; 284.0 cm⁻¹ in ⁶³Cupc; 376.0 cm⁻¹ and 317.8 cm⁻¹ in ⁵⁸Nipc; and 308.4 cm⁻¹ in ⁵⁴Fepc. Assignment of the far-i.r. spectrum of u-oxo-(Fepc)₂ places the FeN stretching band at 280.2 cm⁻¹ and suggests a linear arrangement of the FeOFe with Fe atoms in the plane of the phthalocyanine ring.     

Untersuchungen zur Acidität und katalytischen Spaltaktivität dekationisierter NaY-Zeolithe

Investigation on Acidity and Catalytic Activity of Deep-Bed Calcinated Zeolites NH₄ NaY NMR and infrared techniques are applied to decationated zeolites NaY to study Brönsted acidity. The results are compared with measurements of catalytic activity and crystallinity of this zeolites. The number of OH groups which are able to form a pyridinium ion (PyH⁺) increases with increasing exchange degree and with increasing temperature of the sample. The rate of pyridinium ion formation as an equivalent of Brönsted acidity and the catalytic activity increase similarly with increasing exchange degree up to such values where a loss of crystallinity occurs.     

Conversion of CO2 and C2H6 to Propanoic Acid over a Au‐Exchanged MCM‐22 Zeolite

Finding novel catalysts for the direct conversion of CO₂ to fuels and chemicals is a primary goal in energy and environmental research. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) is used to study possible reaction mechanisms for the conversion of CO₂ and C₂H₆ to propanoic acid over a gold‐exchanged MCM‐22 zeolite catalyst. The reaction begins with the activation of ethane to produce a gold ethyl hydride intermediate. Hydrogen transfers to the framework oxygen leads then to gold ethyl adsorbed on the Brønsted‐acid site. The energy barriers for these steps of ethane activation are 9.3 and 16.3 kcal mol^?1, respectively. Two mechanisms of propanoic acid formation are investigated. In the first one, the insertion of CO₂ into the Au?H bond of the first intermediate yields gold carboxyl ethyl as subsequent intermediate. This is then converted to propanoic acid by forming the relevant C?C bond. The activation energy of the rate‐determining step of this pathway is 48.2 kcal mol^?1. In the second mechanism, CO₂ interacts with gold ethyl adsorbed on the Brønsted‐acid site. Propanoic acid is formed via protonation of CO₂ by the Brønsted acid and the simultaneous formation of a bond between CO₂ and the ethyl group. The activation energy there is 44.2 kcal mol^?1, favoring this second pathway at least at low temperatures. Gold‐exchanged MCM‐22 zeolite can therefore, at least in principle, be used as the catalyst for producing propanoic acid from CO₂ and ethane.     

Transformation of the {Fe(NO)2}9 dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) into S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) triggered by acid-base pairs

S‐Nitrosation of the coordinated thiolate of dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) to generate S‐nitrosothiols (RSNOs) was demonstrated. Transformation of [{(NO)₂Fe(μ‐StBu)}₂] ( 1‐tBuS ) into the {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ DNIC [(NO)₂Fe(StBu)(MeIm)] ( 2‐MeIm ) occurs under addition of 20 equiv of 1‐methylimidazole (MeIm) into a solution of 1‐tBuS in THF. The dynamic interconversion between {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ [(NO)₂Fe(S‐NAP)(dmso)] ( 2‐dmso ) (NAP=N‐acetyl‐D ‐penicillamine) and [{(NO)₂Fe(μ‐S‐NAP)}₂] ( 1‐NAP ) was also observed in a solution of complex 1‐NAP in DMSO. In contrast to the reaction of complex 2‐MeIm and bis(dimethylthiocarbamoyl) disulfide ((DTC)₂) to yield {Fe(NO)}⁷ [(NO)Fe(DTC)₂] ( 3 ) (DTC=S₂CNMe₂) accompanied by (tBuS)₂ and NO_(g), transformation of {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ 2‐MeIm ( 2‐dmso ) into RSNOs (RS=tBuS, NAP‐S) along with complex 3 induced by the Brønsted acid solution of (DTC)₂ demonstrated that Brønsted acid may play a critical role in triggering S‐nitrosation of the coordinated thiolate of DNICs 2‐MeIm (or 2‐dmso ) to produce RSNOs. That is, DNIC‐mediated S‐nitrosation requires a Brønsted acid–Lewis base pair to produce RSNO. Transformation of DNICs into RSNOs may only occur on the one‐thiolate‐containing {Fe(NO)₂}⁹ DNICs, in contrast to protonation of the two‐thiolate‐containing DNICs [(NO)₂Fe(SR)₂]^? by Brønsted acid to yield [{(NO)₂Fe(μ‐SR)}₂]. These results might rationalize that the known protein‐Cys‐SNO sites derived from DNICs were located adjacent to acid and base motifs, and no protein‐bound SNO characterized to date has been directly derived from [protein–(cysteine)₂Fe(NO)₂] in biology.     

Framework Stability and Brønsted Acidity of Isomorphously Substituted Interlayer‐Expanded Zeolite COE‐4: A Density Functional Theory Study

COE‐4 zeolites possess a unique two‐dimensional ten‐ring pore structure with the Si(OH)₂ hydroxyl groups attached to the linker position between the ferrierite‐type layers, which has been demonstrated through the interlayer‐expansion approach in our previous work (H. Gies et al. Chem. Mater.­ 2012 , 24, 1536). Herein, density functional theory is used to study the framework stability and Brønsted acidity of the zeolite T‐COE‐4, in which the tetravalent Si is isomorphously substituted by a trivalent Fe, B, Ga, or Al heteroatom at the linker position. The influences of substitution energy and equilibrium geometry parameters on the stability of T‐COE‐4 are investigated in detail. The relative acid strength of the linker position is revealed by the proton affinity, charge analysis, and NH₃ adsorption. It is found that the range of the 〈T‐O‐Si〉 angles is widened to maintain the stability of isomorphously substituted T‐COE‐4 zeolites. The smaller the 〈O1‐T‐O2〉 bond angle is, the more difficult is to form the regular tetrahedral unit. Thus, the substitution energies at the linker positions increase in the following sequence: Al‐COE‐4 < Ga‐COE‐4 < Fe‐COE‐4 < B‐COE‐4. The adsorption of NH₃ as a probe molecule indicates that the acidity can affect the hydrogen‐bonding interaction between (N?H???O2) and (N???H?O2). The relative Brønsted‐acid strength of the interlayer‐expanded T‐COE‐4 zeolite decreases in the order of Al‐COE‐4 > Ga‐COE‐4 > Fe‐COE‐4 > B‐COE‐4. These findings may be helpful for the structural design and functional modification of interlayer‐expanded zeolites.     

Nickel Poisoning of a Cracking Catalyst Unravelled by Single-Particle X-ray Fluorescence-Diffraction-Absorption Tomography

Ni contamination from crude oil in the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process is one of the primary sources of catalyst deactivation, thereby promoting dehydrogenation–hydrogenation and speeding up coke growth. Herein, single-particle X-ray fluorescence, diffraction and absorption (μXRF-μXRD-μXAS) tomography is used in combination with confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM) after thiophene staining to spatially resolve Ni interaction with catalyst components and study zeolite degradation, including the processes of dealumination and Brønsted acid sites distribution changes. The comparison between a Ni-lean particle, exposed to hydrotreated feedstock, and a Ni-rich one, exposed to non-hydrotreated feedstock, reveals a preferential interaction of Ni, found in co-localization with Fe, with the γ-Al₂O₃ matrix, leading to the formation of spinel-type hotspots. Although both particles show similar surface zeolite degradation, the Ni-rich particle displays higher dealumination and a clear Brønsted acidity drop.     

Probing the Brønsted Acidity of the External Surface of Faujasite-Type Zeolites

We outline two methodologies to selectively characterize the Brønsted acidity of the external surface of FAU-type zeolites by IR and NMR spectroscopy of adsorbed basic probe molecules. The challenge and goal are to develop reliable and quantitative IR and NMR methodologies to investigate the accessibility of acidic sites in the large pore FAU-type zeolite Y and its mesoporous derivatives often referred to as ultra-stable Y (USY). The accessibility of their Brønsted acid sites to probe molecules (n-alkylamines, n-alkylpyridines, n-alkylphosphine- and phenylphosphine-oxides) of different molecular sizes is quantitatively monitored either by IR or ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. It is now possible, for the first time to quantitatively discriminate between the Brønsted acidity located in the microporosity and on the external surface of large pore zeolites. For instance, the number of external acid sites on a Y (LZY-64) zeolite represents 2 % of its total acid sites while that of a USY (CBV760) represents 4 % while the latter has a much lower framework Si/Al ratio.     

Oxycarbonylation of methanol over modified CuY: Enhanced activity by improving accessibility of active sites

To improve the accessibility of Cu⁺ species located in the small cages, Y zeolite was post-treated with NH₄F solution etching. The small cages were opened effectively, which allowed the reactants to interact with more Cu⁺ sites. As a result, an enhanced activity was obtained over modified CuY catalyst in oxidative carbonylation of methanol.