The role of added water in the ionothermal synthesis of microporous aluminium phosphates

Water plays an important role in ionothermal synthesis and it has been suggested that it can influence phase selection. We have carried out an extensive study to determine the phases produced at various ratios of water to ionic liquid in the microwave assisted ionothermal synthesis of fluorinated aluminium phosphate frameworks using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide and 1-ethylpyridinium bromide. Aluminophosphate chabazite is the main product under ionothermal conditions while at increased levels of water the ionic liquids appear to be poor templates with dense phases predominating. The low synthesis pressure in ionothermal reactions is demonstrated and the role of template breakdown in phase selection is also discussed.