Restricted transition-state selectivity catalysis

Catalytic Properties. In zeoHtes, catalysis takes place preferentially within the intracrystaUine voids. Catalytic reactions are affected by aperture size and type of channel system, through which reactants and products must diffuse. Modification techniques include ion exchange, variation of Si/A1 ratio, hydrothermal dealumination or stabilization, which produces Lewis acidity, introduction of acidic groups such as bridging Si(OH)Al, which impart Briimsted acidity, and introducing dispersed metal phases such as noble metals. In addition, the zeoHte framework stmcture determines shape-selective effects. Several types have been demonstrated including reactant selectivity, product selectivity, and restricted transition-state selectivity (28). Nonshape-selective surface activity is observed on very small crystals, and it may be desirable to poison these sites selectively, eg, with bulky heterocycHc compounds unable to penetrate the channel apertures, or by surface sdation. 

Restricted transition state selectivity Figure 1 Mechanisms of shape-selective catalysis. 

H. van Bekkum et al. (72) studied a number of catalysts in the Fischer synthesis starting from l-phenyl-2-butanone 40 (with R, = Ph, R2 = CH3) and phenylhydrazine. The isomeric products are the bulky 2-ethyl-3-phenylindole 45 (with R, = Ph, R2 = CH3) and the linear 2-benzyl-3-methylindole 46 (with R, = Ph, R2 = CH3). Catalysis of the inolization of 40 by soluble as well as solid (e.g. Amberlyst 15) catalysts typically yielded a mixture of the two isomers in a bulky/linear ratio of about 75/25. Zeolite BEA reverses this bulky/linear ratio giving 75% of the linear isomer 46, a result interpreted in terms of restricted transition-state selectivity. Although in zeolite BEA the intraporous formation of 45 is largely suppressed, it is in fact probably not completely inhibited. 

Heterogeneous catalysts which are active for the catalysis of the MPVO reactions include amorphous metal oxides and zeolites. Their activity is related to their surface basicity or Lewis acidity. Zeolites are only recently being developed as catalysts in the MPVO reactions. Their potential is related to the possibility of shape-selectivity as illustrated by an example showing absolute stereoselectivity as a result of restricted transition-state selectivity. In case of alkali or alkaline earth exchanged zeolites with a high aluminium content (X-type) the catalytic activity is most likely related to basic properties. For zeolite BEA (Si/Al=12), however, the dynamic character of those aluminium atoms which are only partially connected to the framework appear to play a role in the catalytic activity. Similarly, the Lewis acid character of the titanium atoms in aluminium free [Ti]-BEA explains its activity in the MPVO reactions. 

The sequence is exactly opposite to that of conventional acid catalysis The reactants that are best able to form carbenium ions in solution are the least reactive with zeolite catalysis. The restricted transition state selectivity suppresses cracking of the more highly branched hydrocarbons in the cavities [T25]. 

TS-1 is an efficient and selective catalyst for the oxidation of various organic molecules with H O sulphur and nitrogen compounds, alcohols, olefins, aromatic and aliphatic C-H bonds [11, 92-93]. Selectivity is the result of the electrophilic properties of active oxidant species and of the shape selectivity. The latter arises from diffusion of reagents and products and from steric constraints in the transition state (restricted transition state shape selectivity). Molecules having a cross section larger than about 0.6 nm cannot difhise to TS-1 active sites and are not oxidised. This restricts TS-1 catalysis to almost linear molecules and mononuclear aromatic compounds, bearing small or no substituents. On the other hand, small molecules can be selectively oxidised in the presence of bulkier ones. 

The reason for the high selectivity of zeohte catalysts is the fact that the catalytic reaction typically takes place inside the pore systems of the zeohtes. The selectivity in zeohte catalysis is therefore closely associated to the unique pore properties of zeohtes. Their micropores have a defined pore diameter, which is different from all other porous materials showing generally a more or less broad pore size distribution. Therefore, minute differences in the sizes of molecules are sufficient to exclude one molecule and allow access of another one that is just a little smaller to the pore system. The high selectivity of zeolite catalysts can be explained by three major effects [14] reactant selectivity, product selectivity, and selectivity owing to restricted size of a transition state (see Figure 4.11). 

Catalysis of 12-membered zeolites, H-mordenlte (HM), HY, and HL was studied In the alkylation of biphenyl. The para-selectlvltles were up to 70% for Isopropylblphenyl (IPBP), and 80% for dllsopropylblphenyl (DIBP) In HM catalyzed Isopropylatlon. Catalysis of HY and HL zeolites was nonselectlve. These differences depend on differences In pore structure of zeolites. Catalysis of HM to give the least bulky Isomer Is controlled shape-selectlvely by sterlc restriction of the transition state and by the entrance of IPBP Isomers. Alkylation with HY and HL Is controlled by the electron density of reactant molecule and by the stability of product molecules because these zeolites have enough space for the transition state to allow all IPBP and DIBP isomers. Dealuminatlon of HM decreased coke deposition to enhance shape selective alkylation of biphenyl. 

Although diffusivity is often important in zeolite catalysis, other factors may also be crucial in determining shape selectivity. Recent work by Post 15a), for example, has shown that the shape selectivity behavior observed for the relative cracking rates of hexane isomers over H-ZSM 5 zeolite (see Section VIII) could not be understood on the basis of their measured diffusivities. Spatial restrictions imposed on transition-state species formed within the zeolite pores provide a possible explanation for the observed results. 

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