Brønsted Acidity and Aluminum Substitution Characteristics of Si(nAi) Sites in Zeolites: A Theoretical MNDO Calculation

The Brønsted acidity of the various Si(nAl) sites present in zeolites is evaluated from proton binding energy and LUMO energy calculated by the semiempirical MNDO quantum chemical method. The two calculated energy values both exhibit a linear correlation with the existing ²⁹Si NMR chemical shift and the IR hydroxyl stretching frequency data. The inter-convertibility between different Si(nAl) sites during an alumination or dealumination process is also evaluated based on the calculated substitution energy. The results indicate that alumination processes are less favorable to occur in zeolites than dealumination processes and the latter is more likely to occur for Si(nAl) clusters that contain the maximum number of aluminum nearest neighbors.     

Y沸石的酸性

用^29Si MAS NMR(MAS为Magie Angle Spinning), 统计计算,NH3-TPD 等方法对(NH4)2·SiF6去铝补硅得到的高硅Y型沸石的酸位分布情况进行了研究, 并与典型酸催化反应数据相关联, 证实了Y型沸石的酸位强度取决于A1原子的周围环境, 即与次邻位A1原子数目n-NNN(NNN为Next Nearst Neighbor)有关, 沸石的强酸性来自次邻位无A1原子的AIO^-4四面体。 NH3-TPD法测量的沸石酸量和酸强度数据与^29Si MAS NMR 实验结果和统计计算得到的不同n-NNN A1位的分布是一致的。 随着A1含量减少, Y型沸石表面的总酸量是单调下降的。但强酸量却是先增加后下降, 在A1/(A1+Si)为0.15左右出现极大值。不同硅铝比的Y型沸石对典型的强酸性和弱酸性催化反应的活性变化规律亦与酸性相吻合。     

Density functional theory studies on the external OH−‐induced barrierless proton dissociation mechanism for the forced hydrolysis reaction of Al3+(aq)

The forced hydrolysis reaction of aqueous aluminum ion (Al³⁺) is of critical importance in Al chemistry, but its microscopic mechanism has long been neglected. Herein, density functional calculations reveal an external OH⁻‐induced barrierless proton dissociation mechanism for the forced hydrolysis of Al³⁺(aq). Dynamic reaction pathway modeling results show that the barrierless deprotonations induced by the second‐ or third‐shell external OH⁻ proceed via the concerted proton transfer through H‐bond wires connected to the coordinated waters, and the inducing ability of the external OH⁻ decreases with increasing hydration layers between Al(H₂O)₆³⁺ and the external OH⁻. The OH⁻‐induced forced hydrolysis mechanism of Al³⁺(aq) is quite different from its self‐hydrolysis mechanism without OH⁻. The inducing ability is a unique characteristic of OH⁻, rather than other anions such as F⁻ or Cl⁻.     

Selective methane chlorination to methyl chloride by zeolite Y-based catalysts

The CH₄ chlorination over Y zeolites was investigated to produce CH₃Cl in a high yield. Three different catalytic systems based on Y zeolite were tested for enhancement of CH₄ conversion and CH₃Cl selectivity: (i) HY zeolites in H⁺-form having various Si/Al ratios, (ii) Pt/HY zeolites supporting Pt metal nanoparticles, (iii) Pt/NaY zeolites in Na⁺-form supporting Pt metal nanoparticles. The reaction was carried out using the gas mixture of CH₄ and Cl₂ with the respective flow rates of 15 and 10 mL min⁻¹ at 300–350 °C using a fixed-bed reactor under a continuous gas flow condition (gas hourly space velocity = 3000 mL g⁻¹ h⁻¹). Above the reaction temperature of 300 °C, the CH₄ chlorination is spontaneous even in the absence of catalyst, achieving 23.6% of CH₄ conversion with 73.4% of CH₃Cl selectivity. Under sufficient supplement of thermal energy, Cl₂ molecules can be dissociated to two chlorine radicals, which triggered the C-H bond activation of CH₄ molecule and thereby various chlorinated methane products (i.e., CH₃Cl, CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, CCl₄) could be produced. When the catalysts were used under the same reaction condition, enhancement in the CH₄ conversion was observed. The Pt-free HY zeolite series with varied Si/Al ratios gave around 27% of CH₄ conversion, but there was a slight decrease in CH₃Cl selectivity with about 64%. Despite the difference in acidity of HY zeolites having different Si/Al ratios, no prominent effect of the Si/Al ratios on the catalytic performance was observed. This suggests that the catalytic contribution of HY zeolites under the present reaction condition is not strong enough to overcome the spontaneous CH₄ chlorination. When the Pt/HY zeolite catalysts were used, the CH₄ conversion reached further up to 30% but the CH₃Cl selectivity decreased to 60%. Such an enhancement of CH₄ conversion could be attributed to the strong catalytic activity of HY and Pt/HY zeolite catalysts. However, both catalysts induced the radical cleavage of Cl₂ more favorably, which ultimately decreased the CH₃Cl selectivity. Such trade-off relationship between CH₄ conversion and CH₃Cl selectivity can be slightly broken by using Pt/NaY zeolite catalyst that is known to possess Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLP) that are very useful for ionic cleavage of H₂ to H⁺ and H⁻. Similarly, in the present work, Pt/NaY(FLP) catalysts enhanced the CH₄ conversion while keeping the CH₃Cl selectivity as compared to the Pt/HY zeolite catalysts.     

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.     

Magic-Angle-Spinning NMR (MAS-NMR) Spectroscopy and the Structure of Zeolites

After outlining the chemical features and properties which make zeolites such an important group of catalysts and sorbents, the article explains how high-resolution solid-state NMR with magic-angle spinning reveals numerous new insights into their structure. ²⁹Si-MAS-NMR readily and quantitatively identifies five distinct Si(OAl)_n(OSi)_4-n structural groups in zeolitic frameworks (n = 0, 1,….4), corresponding to the first tetrahedral coordination shell of a silicon atom. Many catalytic and other chemical properties of zeolites are governed by the short-range Si, Al order, the nature of which is greatly clarified by ²⁹Si-MAS-NMR. It is shown that, as expected from Pauling's electroneutrality principle and Loewenstein's rule, both in zeolite X and in zeolite A (with Si/Al = 1.00) there are no ? Al? O? Al? linkages. In zeolite A and zeolite X with Si/Al = 1.00 there is strict alternation of Si and Al on the tetrahedral sites. Ordering models for Si/Al ratios up to 5.00 (in zeolite Y) may also be evaluated by a combination of MAS-NMR experiments and computational procedures. ²⁹Si-MAS-NMR spectra reveal the presence of numerous crystallographically distinct Si(OSi)₄ sites in silicalite/ZSM-5, suggesting that the correct space group for these related porosilicates is not Pnma. ²⁷Al-MAS-NMR clearly distinguishes tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated aluminum, proving that, contrary to earlier claims, Al in silicalite is tetrahedrally substituted within the framework. In combination, ²⁹Si- and ²⁷Al-MAS-NMR is a powerful tool for monitoring the course of solid-state processes (such as ultrastabilization of synthetic faujasites) and of gas-solid reactions (dealumination of zeolites with silicon tetrachloride vapor at elevated temperatures). They also permit the quantitative determination of framework Si/Al ratios in the region 1.00 < Si/Al < 10 000. Since most elements in the periodic table may be accommodated within zeolite structures, either as part of the exchangeable cations or as building units of the anionic framework, there is immense scope for investigation by MAS-NMR and its variants (cross-polarization, multiple pulse and variable-angle spinning) of bulk, surface and chemical properties. Some of the directions in which future research in zeolite science may proceed are adumbrated.     

ZSM-5分子筛的合成及其在丁烯催化裂解反应中的应用

采用水热合成法制备了无模板剂ZSM-5分子筛并用正硅酸甲酯(TMOS)对其进行外表面修饰改性,利用XRD、SEM、~(29)Si MAS NMR、~(27)Al MAS NMR、NH_3-TPD、BET和UV-vis DRS对合成分子筛的物相、形貌和酸性等进行了表征,并将其应用于催化丁烯裂解反应。研究表明,经水热合成的无模板剂ZSM-5结晶度较好,与添加模板剂合成的ZSM-5拥有相似的孔道结构和晶体结构以及相近的酸量,但在酸中心分布上有明显差异:孔道内酸中心数量增加且分布更加均匀,孔道交叉处酸中心数量减少;经过外表面修饰改性后,ZSM-5分子筛外表面部分不具备择形性的酸中心被钝化,使其择形选择能力增强。在催化丁烯裂解反应中,用TMOS进行外表面修饰改性的无模板剂ZSM-5分子筛作为催化剂能够有效抑制副反应的发生,丙烯和乙烯的总收率高达58%。     

29Si-NMR-Untersuchungen zur Verteilung der Silicium-und Aluminiumatome im Alumosilicatgitter von Zeolithen mit Faujasit-Struktur

²⁹SiNMR Investigation of Silicon-Aluminum Ordering in the Aluminosilicate Framework of Faujasite-Type Zeolites The high resolution magic angle spinning ²⁹Si NMR spectra of a series of NaX and NaY zeolites with Si/Al ratios of 1.18 to 67 exhibit up to five sharp signals which could be assigned to the central silicon atoms of Si(OSi)_4–n(OAl)_n building units (n = 0–4) of the aluminosilicate framework. From the signal intensities the quantitative distribution of the building units and the Si/Al ratio of the aluminosilicate lattice have been estimated. By comparison of the building units obtained from the ²⁹Si NMR spectra with those from theoretical model structures detailed information on silicon-aluminum ordering of the zeolite framework has been derived. Except for NaX of Si/Al = 1.4 a centrosymmetrical distribution of Si and Al atoms within a double-cubooctahedra unit has been found which agrees well with the Si/Al ordering scheme proposed by Dempsey.     

Study of the geometry and location of the bridging OH groups in aluminosilicate and silicoaluminophosphate type zeolites using 1H MAS NMR sideband analysis and CP/MAS NMR

A numerical analysis of the ¹H MAS NMR sideband pattern of the bridging OH groups in various zeolites of the aluminosilicate type (LTA, faujasite, erionite, mordenite, pentasil) and of the silicoaluminophosphate type (SAPO-5, −17, −34, −37) yields H-Al distances of the hydroxyl protons to the adjacent framework aluminium nucleus which cover a range between 0.234 and 0.252 nm. From the results, a relation between the H-Al distance and the size of the oxygen rings (6−, 8−, 10− and 12-membered oxygen rings) could be derived. Using ²⁹Si CP/MAS NMR it was shown that the bridging OH groups in zeolites of the aluminosilicate type are located at the Si(nAl) sites with the largest possible number n. While the second coordination sphere of the T positions of the bridging OH groups in zeolites of the silicoaluminophosphate type (Si/(Al + P + Si) < 0.12) is occupied by the same number of phosphorus and aluminium atoms, the bridging OH groups in zeolites of the aluminosilicate type with medium framework aluminium densities are located at the Si(nAl) sites with n = 3, 2 and 1.     

Synthesis and characterization of acidic properties of Al-HMS materials of varying Si/Al ratios

HMS and Al-HMS materials with Si/Al ratio in the range 5-45 were synthesized by neutral templating pathway. The as synthesized as well as calcined samples were examined for pore size distribution, surface area and XRD. These investigations confirmed the hexagonal mesoporous structure formation at all Si/Al ratios. The TGA measurements indicated that two types of template species interacting with Si or Al could be distinguished. The acidity and acid strength distribution studies using microcalorimetric NH₃ adsorption indicated that the acidity increases with Al content in the mesoporous structure. The presence of Al in the structure creates a wide variety of acid sites of varying strengths. The heterogeneity of the sites also increases with Al content of the catalysts. The activities for cumene cracking reaction to test acidity of the materials supported the trend obtained from microcalorimetric NH₃ adsorption results.     

MCM-22分子筛酸性的DFT理论计算研究

本文利用量子力学中的密度泛函理论(DFT)计算，研究了MCM-22分子筛上骨架Al在8个不同的T位的分布和Br?nsted酸的落位及强度。所有计算基于分子筛的8T簇模型 (H₃SiO)₃Si-O(H)-T(OSiH₃)₃(T=Si，Al)，采用DFT的BLYP方法，所有原子均应用DNP基组。通过计算(Al，H)/Si替代能和质子亲和势，得出推论：MCM-22分子筛中骨架Al的最有利落位在T1，T4，T3和T8位。而形成Br?nsted-酸的最可能的位置为Al1-O3-Si4，Al4-O3-Si1，Al3-O11-Si2和Al8-O10-Si2桥基。Al1-O3H-Si4和Al4-O3H-Si1位的酸性强度接近，Al3-O11H-Si2和Al8-O10H-Si2位的酸性分别略低于和略高于前两个酸位。通过计算模板剂分子六次甲基亚胺(HMI)与B-酸中心的相互作用，进一步探讨了HMI对分子筛中Al落位的靶向作用。     

The effect of FER zeolite acid sites in methanol-to-dimethyl-ether catalytic dehydration

In this paper, the effect of acidity of zeolites with FER framework was studied in the methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether reaction, by comparing catalysts with different Si/Al ratios(namely 8, 30 and60). The aim of this work was to investigate how the acid sites concentration, strength, distribution and typology(Br?nsted and Lewis) affect methanol conversion, DME selectivity and coke formation. It was found that the aluminium content affects slightly acid sites strength whilst a relevant effect on acid sites concentration and distribution(Br?nsted/Lewis) was observed as 24% of Lewis sites were found on Alrichest samples, whilst less than 10% of Lewis acid sites were observed on FER at higher Si/Al ratio. All the investigated catalyst samples showed a selectivity toward DME always greater than 0.9 and samples with the lowest Si/Al ratio exhibit the best performances in terms of methanol conversion, approaching the theoretical equilibrium value(around 0.85) at temperatures below 200 °C. Turnover-frequency analysis suggests that this result seems to be related not only to the higher amount of acid sites but also that the presence of Lewis acid sites may play a significant role in converting methanol. On the other hand, the presence of Lewis acid sites, combined with a high acidity, promote the formation of by-products(mainly methane) and coke deposition during the reaction. As final evidence, all the investigated catalysts exhibit very high resistance to deactivation by coke deposition, over 60 h continuous test, and a GC–MS analysis of the coke deposited on the catalyst surface reveals tetra-methyl benzene as main component.     

The effect of acidity behaviour of Y zeolites on the catalytic degradation of polyethylene

Thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analyses were used to investigate the effect of the acidity behaviour of Y zeolites on the catalytic degradation of polyethylene (PE). The acidity behaviour of these zeolites was modified by ion exchange treatments. Two Y zeolites with similar Si/Al atomic ratios were subjected to an ion exchange treatment using NaNO₃ for H-form (HY) and NH₄NO₃ for Na-form (NaY). The activity and the deactivation behaviour of the Y zeolites were determined in the samples by TGA measurements, using a polymer/catalyst ratio of 9:1. The sample residues obtained after an isothermic TGA, were analysed by DSC, in order to evaluate the crystallinity of each mixture. The HY zeolite, which has the strongest acidity, reduced the onset temperature resulting in more rapid degradation of the polymer. It is shown that the ion exchange treatment over Y zeolites enhances the selective catalytic degradation of polymer in detriment of the rapid deactivation.     

微孔/微介孔H-ZSM-5分子筛上甲苯甲醇的烷基化性能

以不同硅铝比的H-ZSM-5分子筛为研究对象,考察了Na OH碱处理、酒石酸处理及Na OH碱处理-酒石酸处理相结合的方法对其物化性能和催化性能的影响.处理前后分子筛的表征结果表明,酸处理和碱处理可通过调变催化剂的酸性和孔道结构影响其催化性能.酸处理对低硅铝比H-ZSM-5的酸性和催化性能影响较大,而碱处理则主要影响高硅铝比分子筛的酸性和催化性能.酸处理和碱处理相结合则能同时调变分子筛的酸性和孔道结构,进而提高其在甲苯甲醇制二甲苯反应中的催化活性.其中,碱处理的高硅铝比H-ZSM-5分子筛表现出最优异的催化活性.     

Low-Valent MxAl3 Cluster Salts with Tetrahedral [SiAl3]+ and Trigonal-Bipyramidal [M2Al3]2+ Cores (M=Si/Ge)

Schnöckel's [(AlCp*)₄] and Jutzi's [SiCp*][B(C₆F₅)₄] (Cp*=C₅Me₅) are landmarks in modern main-group chemistry with diverse applications in synthesis and catalysis. Despite the isoelectronic relationship between the AlCp* and the [SiCp*]⁺ fragments, their mutual reactivity is hitherto unknown. Here, we report on their reaction giving the complex salts [Cp*Si(AlCp*)₃][WCA] ([WCA]⁻=[Al(OR^F)₄]⁻ and [F{Al(OR^F)₃}₂]⁻; R^F=C(CF₃)₃). The tetrahedral [SiAl₃]⁺ core not only represents a rare example of a low-valent silicon-doped aluminium-cluster, but also—due to its facile accessibility and high stability—provides a convenient preparative entry towards low-valent Si−Al clusters in general. For example, an elusive binuclear [Si₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ with extremely short Al−Si bonds and a high negative partial charge at the Si atoms was structurally characterised and its bonding situation analysed by DFT. Crystals of the isostructural [Ge₂(AlCp*)₅]²⁺ dication were also obtained and represent the first mixed Al−Ge cluster.     

Distribution of Europium Ions in Ion-Exchanged NaX and NaY Zeolites

The chemical environments of europium-exchanged NaX (Si/Al =1.16) and NaY (Si/Al = 2.29) zeolites have been investigated by means of ¹²⁹Xe NMR and isotherm measurements of adsorbed xenon. EuNaX and EuNaY samples with varied concentrations of Eu cations were subjected to diverse chemical and thermal treatments, namely dehydration, reduction, oxidation, and re-reduction. Thermal analyses of hydrated EuNaX and EuNaY samples indicate that both the structural stability and the saturation concentration of water increase with increasing Eu content. For dehydrated EuNaY zeolites, the Eu³⁺ cations tend to replace Na⁺ ions at S2 sites and tend to be located in framework supercages; similar behavior is found for Eu²⁺ ions after reduction. After subsequent oxidation, Eu³⁺ ions migrate from supercages into small sodalite and/or D6R cages; similar results were deduced for samples after re-reduction. In contrast to the behavior observed in EuNaY, Eu³⁺ ions tend to exchange for Na⁺ ions in the sodalite and/or D6R cages in dehydrated EuNaX zeolites, regardless of the thermal treatment; this behavior is ascribed to the existence of unlocalized S3 Na⁺ in EuNaX samples.     

Dynamical Equilibrium between Brønsted and Lewis Sites in Zeolites: Framework-Associated Octahedral Aluminum

While the structures of Brønsted acid sites (BAS) in zeolites are well understood, those of Lewis acid sites (LAS) remain an active area of investigation. Under hydrated conditions, the reversible formation of framework-associated octahedral aluminum has been observed in zeolites in the acidic form. However, the structure and formation mechanisms are currently unknown. In this work, combined experimental ²⁷Al NMR spectroscopy and computational data reveal for the first time the details of the zeolite framework-associated octahedral aluminium. The octahedral LAS site becomes kinetically allowed and thermodynamically stable under wet conditions in the presence of multiple nearby BAS sites. The critical condition for the existence of such octahedral LAS appears to be the availability of three protons: at lower proton concentration, either by increasing the Si/Al or by ion-exchange to non-acidic form, the tetrahedral BAS becomes thermodynamically more stable. This work resolves the question about the nature and reversibility of framework-associated octahedral aluminium in zeolites.     

Direct versus indirect many-body methods for calculating vertical electron affinities: applications to F−, OH− , NH2−, CN−, Cl−, SH− and PH2−

Electron propagator theory (EPT) is applied to calculating vertical ionization energies of the anions F⁻, Cl⁻, OH⁻,SH⁻, NH₂⁻, PH₂⁻ and CN⁻. Third-order and outer valence approximation (OVA) quasiparticle calculations are compared with ΔMBPT(4) (MBPT, many-body perturbation theory) results using the same basis sets. Agreement with experiment is satisfactory for EPT calculations except for F⁻ and OH⁻, while the ΔMBPT treatments fail for CN⁻. EPT(OVA) estimates are reliable when the discrepancy between second- and third-order results is small. Computational aspects are discussed, showing relative merits of direct and indirect methods for evaluating electron binding energies.     

Synthesis and adsorption investigations of zeolites MCM-22 and MCM-49 modified by alkali metal cations

Ion exchange was made on MCM-22 and MCM-49 zeolites with different Si/Al molar ratios, with Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺ ions and the study of the influence of alkali metal cations on CO₂ adsorption properties was performed. The degree of ion-exchange decreased for larger cations (Cs⁺) apparently due to steric hindrances. The exchange with different cations led to a decrease in the surface area and the micropore volume. Our study shows that the adsorption capacity of the tested zeolites depends significantly on the nature and the concentration of the charge-compensating cations. The highest CO₂ adsorption capacity was obtained on the MWW zeolites with the lowest Si/Al molar ratio and the Li⁺ or K⁺ cations.