Persistent carbocations from 4,4′-dimethylaminodiphenylethylenes within CaY zeolite: intrazeolite-water controls the structure of the carbocation

Inclusion of 4,4′-dimethylaminodiphenylethylene and related olefins within activated CaY results in the formation of persistent monomer carbocations. The structure of the cation, consequently the color of the zeolite, is controlled by water molecules present within zeolites. Under ‘dry’ conditions the zeolite is light yellow and under ‘wet’ conditions it is blue colored. Blue color results from the quininoidal structure adopted by 1,1-bis-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)ethyl cation through participation of the lone pair electrons present on the amino substituent at the para position.