Nonuniform catalytic behavior of zeolite crystals as revealed by in situ optical microspectroscopy

Abstract

(Figure Presented) Pore geometry matters: Microspectroscopy with polarized light reveals that in the oligomerization of styrene on large ZSM-5 crystals, different pore geometries may lead to distinct reaction products aligned within straight pores of the zeolite. In the body of the crystal, zigzag pore openings provide access for monomer molecules to diffuse inside and react with the dimer, whereas oligomerization at the edges leads toward mainly dimeric products. © 2007 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.