The structure-directing role of heterologous seeds in the synthesis of zeolite

Zeolites have been widely used as catalysts,ion-exchangers,and adsorbents in chemical industries,detergent industry,steel industry,glass industry,ceramic industry,medical and healthfield,and environmentalfield,and recently applied in energy storage.Seed-assisted synthesis is a very effective approach in promoting the crystallization of zeolites.In some cases,the target zeolite cannot be formed in the absence of seed zeolite.In homologous seed-assisted synthesis,the structure of the seed zeolite is the same to that of the target zeolite,while the structure of the seed zeolite is different to that of the target zeolite in the heterologous seed-assisted synthesis.In this review,we briefly summarized the heterologous seed-assisted syntheses of zeolites and analyzed the structure-directing effect of heterologous seeds and surveyed the“common composite building units(CBUs)hypothesis”and the“common secondary building units(SBUs)hypothesis”.However,both hypotheses cannot explain all observations on the heterologous seed-assisted syntheses.Finally,we proposed that the formation of the target zeolite does need nuclei with the structure of target zeolite and the formation of the nuclei of the target zeolite can be promoted by either the undissolved seed crystals with the same CBUs or SBUs to the target zeolite or by the facilitated appropriate distribution of the specific building units due to the presence of the heterologous seed that does not have any common CBUs and SBUs with the target zeolite.

Cooperative structure-directing effect of choline cation and *BEA zeolite in the synthesis of aluminogermanosilicate IWR zeolite

In this contribution,we report the cooperative structure-directing effect of choline hydroxide and aluminosilicate*BEA zeolite in the synthesis of aluminogermanosilicate IWR zeolites for the first time.*BEA zeolites,at variance with any other aluminosilicate zeolites,can serve as heterogeneous seeds for the growth of IWR zeolites and play a cooperative structure-directing role.The crystallization process was investigated using multiple techniques to characterize a series of solid products obtained with various crystallization times.The experiments clearly showed the dissolution of the*BEA zeolite and of an intermediate CDO-type structure.A plausible mechanism for the novel cooperative synthesis has been proposed.The crystallization of the IWR zeolite involves several steps,among which the crucial one is believed to be the reassembly of the building units produced from the decomposition of*BEA zeolite seeds,induced by choline molecules.Having similar structure and common building units(four-,five-,and six-membered rings)with the IWR zeolite,the*BEA zeolite is capable of promoting the reassembly of the building units and can thus play a cooperative structure-directing role.By highlighting the cooperative structure-directing effect of organic molecules and heterogeneous seeds,this study opens up new perspectives for the synthesis of target zeolites that are difficult to prepare by traditional methods.This new synthetic route is also expected to shed light on the discovery of novel zeolites.

Electrodeposition of SnO_2 nanocrystalline thin film using butyl-rhodamine B as a structure-directing agent

Porous SnO2 nanocrystalline thin films were successfully electrodeposited from an oxygen-saturated acid aqueous solution of SnCl2 containing different concentrations of butyl-rhodamine B（BRhB） at 70℃.BRhB with substitute of amidocyanogen can be dissolved in the acid deposition solution,where HCl was added to suppress hydrolysis of SnCl2.So it was used as a structure-directing agent to promote the crystal growth of SnO_2.The formed porous morphology and tetragonal rutile crystalline structure of the electrodeposited thin films were controlled by the addition of BRhB with different amounts.

The interaction of the structure-directing agent with the zeolite framework determines germanium distribution in SCM-15 germanosilicate

We report results from computational modeling of the relative stability of germanosilicate SCM-15 structure due to different distribution of germanium heteroatoms in the double four-member rings(D4Rs)of the framework and the orientation of the structure directing agent(SDA)molecules in the as-synthesized zeolite.The calculated relative energies of the bare zeolite framework suggest that structures with germanium ions clustered in the same D4Rs,e.g.,with large number of Ge–O-Ge contacts,are the most stable.The simulations of various orientations of the SDA in the pores of the germanosilicate zeolite show different stability order-the most stable models are the structures with germanium spread among all D4Rs.Thus,for SCM-15 the stabilization due to the presence of the SDA and their orientation,is thermodynamic factor directing both the formation of specific framework type and Ge distribution in the framework during the synthesis.The relative stability of bare structures with different germanium distribution is of minor importance.This differs from SCM-14 germanosilicate,reported earlier,for which the stability order is preserved in presence of SDA.Thus,even for zeolites with the same chemical composition and SDA,the characteristics of their framework lead to different energetic preference for germanium distribution.

Regulation of P450 TleB catalytic flow for the synthesis of sulfur-containing indole alkaloids by substrate structure-directed strategy and protein engineering

Indole alkaloids have attracted considerable attention from synthetic chemists and biochemists for their structural diversity and important biological activities.Compared with traditional organic synthesis methods,the strategy of using cytochrome P450s'extraordinary abilities to selectively activate carbon-hydrogen bonds to assist in the synthesis of various indole alkaloids has the characteristics of short synthetic route,mild conditions and high atomic economy.Here,we utilized P450 monooxygenases HinD and TleB to synthesize a novel 6/5/8 tricyclic product from(S)-N-((S)-1-(4-fluoro-1H-indol-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2-mercapto-3-methylbutanamide through the substrate structure-directed strategy.TleB was more effective in catalyzing C–S coupling,and was used to synthesize a series of 6/5/8 tricyclic indololactam derivatives to provide drug candidates.Interestingly,the S–S coupling product was observed in HinD catalysis,which was a minor product in the wild-type TleB catalysis.With the help of protein engineering,we accurately regulated the catalytic flow and reversed the selectivity of TleB to obtain the S–S coupling product.At the same time,the reaction mechanism was reasonably speculated by means of site blocking and protein-substrate complex analysis.

The structure-directing effect of n-propylamine in the crystallization of open-framework aluminophosphates

Using n-propylamine as a template,deioned water and secondary-butanol(butan-2-ol)as solvents,a three-dimensional(3D)open-framework aluminophosphate[C3NH10]·[HAl3P3O13](1)and a two-dimensional layered aluminophosphate[C3NH10]3·[Al3P4O16](2)were crystallized from the initial mixtures with compositions of Al2O3:2.4 P2O5:5.0 n-propylamine:100 H2O/butan-2-ol,respectively.They are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction(XRD),thermogravimetric(TG),and elemental(CHN)analyses and structurally determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=0.85831(13)nm,b=1.7677(3)nm,c=1.04353(12)nm,=123.887(9)°,and V=1.3143(3)nm3.Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=1.1313(2)nm,b=1.4874(3)nm,c=1.8020(6)nm,=125.07(2)°,and V=2.4817(11)nm3.The results show that the properties of solvent have a significant influence on the structure-directing effect of n-propylamine in the crystallization of the open-framework aluminophosphates.

Influence of Fluoride Ions on the Structure-directing Effect of Organic Amine in the Synthesis of Aluminophosphate Open-frameworks

The crystallization behavior of the initial mixture with the composition of Al2O3：4.0P2O5：3.0 diethylenetriamine（DETA）：xHF：153H2O was investigated at 180 ℃, where 0≤x≤3. If x≤1.8, three-dimensional openframework aluminophosphate AIPO-CJ31 was obtained. If 2 ≤x≤3, a chain-like aluminophosphate（1） was obtained. The crystallization process of both compounds was investigated by means of powder X-ray diffraction（XRD） and the concentrations of A1 and P in the liquid product during the crystallization process were analysed by means of induc- tively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy（ICP-AES）. The evolution of the coordination state of A1, P and F during the crystallization was monitored with 27A1, 31p and 19F MAS NMR technique. The influence of the fluoride ions and the source of fluoride ions on the structure-directing effect of DETA was discussed. It was found that the fluoride ions changed the crystallization direction of the initial mixture, i.e., the structure-directing effect of DETA, via altering the distribution or micro-structure of the inorganic fragments.

Molecular simulations of host-guest interactions between zeolite framework STW and its organic structure-directing agents

Zeolites have been widely applied in many chemical processes owing to their featured microporous framework structures.Organic structure-directing agents(OSDAs) play an important role during of the formation of zeolite frameworks via non-bonding host-guest interactions.Understanding these interactions is crucial to the design of OSDAs and the synthesis of target zeolites.Here,we report a molecular simulation study in the host-guest interactions between zeolite framework STW and 21 alkylated imidazolium and pyrazolium cations that have been used as the OSDAs for the synthesis of STW-type zeolites.We find that OSDAs that have successfully directed the formation of STW exhibit stronger host-guest interactions than unsuccessful ones.Furthermore,we find all successful OSDAs possess relatively more negative atomic charges on nitrogen atoms and smaller dipole moments.According to this finding,we have designed seven new alkylated imidazolium and pyrazolium cations that may be suitable for zeolite STW,and verified their structure-directing capability by molecular simulation calculations.

Modifying the acidity of H-MOR and its catalytic carbonylation of dimethyl ether

Among the reactions catalyzed by zeolites there are some that exhibit high selectivity due to the spatial confinement effect of the zeolite framework.Tailoring the acidity,particularly the distribution and location of the Bronsted acid sites in the zeolite is effective for making it a better catalyst for these reactions.We prepared a series of H-mordenite（H-MOR） samples by varying the composition of the sol-gel,using different structure directing agents and post-treatment.NH3-TPD and IR characterization of adsorbed pyridine were employed to determine the amount of Bronsted acid sites in the 8-membered ring and 12-membered ring channels.It was shown that controlled synthesis was a promising approach to improve the concentration of Bronsted acid sites in MOR,even with a low Al content.Using an appropriate composition of Si and Al in the sol-gel favored a higher proportion of Bronsted acid sites in the 8-membered ring channels.HMI as a structure-direct agent gave an obvious enrichment of Bronsted acid sites in the 8-membered ring.Carbonylation of dimethyl ether was used as a probe reaction to examine the modification of the acid properties,especially the Bronsted acid sites in the 8-membered ring channels.There was a linear relationship between methyl acetate formation and the number of Bronsted acid sites in the 8-membered ring channels,demonstrating the successful modification of acid properties.Our results provide information for the rational design and modification of zeolites with spatial constraints.

Zeolitic germanosilicate analogue to pharmacosiderite crystallized in an acidic medium

Zeolites are typically synthesized in alkaline or fluoride-containing near-neutral media.Sophisticated organic structure-directing agents have been investigated for such systems with the aim of discovering materials with unprecedented structures and properties for novel technical applications.In contrast,zeolite crystallization in strongly acidic media has yet to be explored.This study demonstrates that a zeolitic silicate phase crystallizes from acidic gels using trimethylamine as an organic additive with the composition 1 SiO_(2):0.3 TMA:0.3 HCl:0.15 HF:55 H_(2)O:(0.1-0.4)GeO_(2).This phase has an interrupted four-connected framework analog to the octahedron/tetrahedron-mixed framework of the mineral family pharmacosiderite.In comparison to the pharmacosiderite-type HK_(3)(Ge_(7)O_(16))(H_(2)O)_(4),the four GeO_(6)-octahedra forming the central[HGe_(4)O_(4)O_(12)]-cluster are replaced by four SiO_(4)-tetrahedra in a[Si_(4)O_(6)(OH)2.89]-unit in the new phase.However,the structure is distorted and may contain connectivity and point defects;thus,healing by the occasional incorporation of GeO_(6)-units is necessary.The refined unit cell has a cubic symmetry,space group P-43m(#215),with a=7.7005(1)Å.Acidic-medium synthesis is a useful way to find new zeolites that move in a fundamentally different direction from sophisticated organic structure-directing agents.

Co-templating Ionothermal Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Layered Aluminophosphate from a Protic Deep Eutectic Solvent

Protic deep eutectic mixtures are usually composed of organic amine hydrochloride salts and hydrogen bond donors in a specific molar ratio. Ionothermal synthesis of aluminophosphate as an example, herein, was reported for the first time from an urea-based protic eutectic mixture, consisting of diethylammonium chloride （DEACI） and 1,3-dimethyl urea （DMU）. As a result, a new two dimensional aluminophosphate with 4.8-network, [CH3NH3]2[（C2H5）2NH2]Al3（PO4）4, has been successfully synthesized by co-templating the DEA and methylamine in situ generated from the decomposition of DMU in the absence of HF. Compared to alkyl quaternary ammonium salts with more alkyl-group connected with N atom, this kind of organic amine salts are more likely as the struc- ture-directing agents to synthesize aluminophosphates in urea-based deep eutectic mixtures. It was also found that HF is crucial to the phase selectivity, a known compound with chain-like structure was obtained with the single methylamine as a structure-directing agent in the presence of HF. These materials were characterized by powder XRD, SEM, TG-DSC, 13C CP-MAS NMR and CHN analyses.

Ionic liquid assisted synthesis of flowerlike Cu_2O micro-nanocrystals

Novel flowerlike Cu20 micro-nanocrystals were prepared by a greener reductive reaction of cupric acetate monohydrate with ethylene glycol in aqueous solutions of [C8mim]X （X = CI-, Br-, BF4-, PFr-） and [C,,mim][BF4] （n = 4, 6, 8）. The obtained mi- crostructures of Cu2O were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and Fourier Transform Infrared （FT-IR）. The effects of cations, anions and concentration of the ionic liquids on the morphology of Cu20 were examined in some details. The results suggest that the formation of flowerlike Cu20 was governed by a [Csmim][BF4] controlled reductive reaction mechanism. As one of their applications, the Cu20 nanoparticles were used for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution, and high photocatalytic activity was observed.

Anionic Tuning of Zeolite Crystallization

Zeolites are of great industrial relevance as catalysts,adsorbents,and ion-exchangers and typically synthesized under hydrothermal conditions.Rational regulation of their crystallization process is of great significance for zeolite production.In this work,we systematically investigate the role of anions in tuning zeolite crystallization via anion introduction including SO_(4)^(2−),F^(−),Cl^(−),Br^(−),I^(−),and SCN^(−) in the sodium form into the SiO2-TPAOH-H2O[tetrapropylammonium hydroxide(TPAOH)]synthetic system of silicalite-1 zeolite.