Synthesis of large-pore zeolites from chiral structure-directing agents with twol-prolinol units

Authors: Gomez-Hortiguela, L; Mayoral, A; Liu, HN; Sierra, L; Vaquerizo, L; Mompean, C; Perez-Pariente, J

Article.
Dalton Trans.. vol: 49. page: 1477-9226.
Date: jul-28. 2020.
Doi: 10.1039/d0dt01834a.

Abstract:
In this work, we perform an in-depth experimental and computational study about the structure-directing effect of two new chiral organic quaternary ammonium dications bearing twoN-methyl-prolinol units linked by a xylene spacer inparaormetarelative orientation, displaying four enantiopure stereogenic centers in (S) configuration. Synthesis results show that thepara-xylene derivative is an efficient structure-directing agent, promoting the crystallization of ZSM-12 (in pure-silica composition), beta zeolite (as pure-silica, or in the presence of Al or Ge), and a mixture of polymorphs C, A and B of zeolite beta (in the presence of Ge). In contrast, themeta-xylene derivative showed a much poorer structure-directing activity, yielding only amorphous materials unless Ge is present in the gel, where beta and polymorph C (together with A and B) zeolites crystallized. Molecular simulations showed that thepara-xylene dication displays a cylindrical shape suitable for confining in zeolite pores, while themeta-xylene derivative has an angular shape that shifts from the typical dimensions required for 12MR zeolite channels. Despiteenantio-purity of thepara-xylene dication with (S,S,S,S) configuration, no enrichment in polymorph A of the zeolite beta samples obtained was observed by Transmission Electron Microscopy. With the aid of molecular simulations, the failure in transferring chirality to the zeolite is explained by the loose fit of this SDA in the large-pores of zeolite beta, and a lack of close geometrical fit with the chiral element of polymorph A, as evidenced by the very similar interaction of the cation with the two enantiomorphic space groups of polymorph A. Nevertheless, the molecular-level knowledge gained in this work can provide insights for the future design of more efficient SDAs towards the synthesis of chiral zeolites..