One-step synthesis of hybrid zeolite with exceptional hydrophobicity to accelerate the interfacial reaction at low temperature

Up to date, hydrophobic hybrid zeolites (water contact angle > 120 degrees) unexceptionally are prepared through post synthesis methods by using long-alkyl-chain organosilanes (C8 similar to C16) as organic Si source. In this work, organic-inorganic hybrid zeolite with exceptional hydrophobicity (WCA of 150 degrees) has been firstly one-step synthesized by rotating dry gel conversion (rota-DGC) route in the present of short-alkyl-chain organosilanes (di-methyldiethoxysilane) without using any structure-directing agents. Not only the efficient utilization for carbon source has been achieved, but also the crystallization rate of hybrid zeolite has been fastened. Various analysis results and hydrophobic stability support the incorporation of Si(CH3)(2) moiety into the zeolite framework. Thus synthesized hybrid zeolite acts as excellent catalyst support for the phenol hydrogenation in aqueous medium at low temperature of 318 K. The hydrophobic/lipophilic property of the catalyst plays an important role in the formation of stable oil/water microenvironment on the surface of catalyst to accelerate the interfacial reactions, and the solubility difference of product and reactant at low temperature in water has promoted the complete conversion of reactant phenol and the high selectivity of cyclohexanol.