Zeolite synthesis tetramethylammonium cation

In zeolite synthesis, large cations such as tetramethylammonium (NMe4" ) and tetrapropylammonium (N(C3H7)4" ) can be used as a template around which the aluminosilicate framework crystallizes with large cavities to accommodate the ion. On subsequent heating the cation is pyrolysed, but the structure retains the cavities. Such structures formed around a single molecule template, with pore sizes between 200 and 2000 pm, are known as microporous. 

The formation of novel silicon-rich synthetic zeolites has been facilitated by the use of templates, such as large quaternary ammonium cations instead of Na+. For instance, the tetramethylammonium cation, [(CH3)4N], is used in the synthesis of ZK-4. The aluminosilicate framework condenses around this large cation, which can subsequently be removed by chemical or thermal decomposition. ZSM-5 is produced in a similar way using the tetra-.n-propyl ammonium ion. Only a limited number of large cations can fit into the zeolite framework, and this severely reduces the number of [AIO4] tetrahedra that can be present, producing a silicon-rich structure. 

Effect of the Structure of Organic Quaternary Ammonium Ions. The tetramethylammonium ion (N C J ), first introduced in zeolite synthesis by Barrer and Denny (30), and Kerr and Kokotailo (21) is effective in forming the cubic octameric silicate anion (Sig02Q°, cubic octamer) (2-16). In the tetramethylammonium silicate aqueous solutions at higher S3.O2 concentrations or cation-to-silica molar ratios (abbreviated to the N/Si ratios), the cubic octamer is singularly formed. 

Effect of Addition of Sodium Ions to Tetramethylammonium Silicate Aqueous Solution. In zeolite synthesis, alkali metal cations are combined with organic quaternary ammonium ions to produce zeolites with different structures from the one produced with only the organic quaternary ammonium ion (2) It is then expected that other types of silicate species are formed in the silicate solutions when organic quaternary ammonium ions and alkali metal cations coexist. In such silicate aqueous solutions, however, alkali metal cations only act to suppress the ability of the organic quaternary ammonium ions to form selectively silicate species with cage-like structures (13,14,28,29). 

The use of organic cations has opened a new field in the synthesis of new zeolites (28-30). These cations are thought to increase the solubility of the silicate and aluminate ions and to arrange the water molecules in a template-like fashion. Using tetramethylammonium cations and Y type zeolites were... 

---