A Stable Extra-Large-Pore Zeolite with Intersecting 14-and 10-Membered-Ring Channels

The development of inorganic frameworks with extra-large pores (larger than 12-membered rings) has attracted considerable attention because of their potential applications in catalysis, the separation of large molecules, and so forth. We herein report the synthesis of the new extra-large-pore zeolite NUD-2 by using the supramolecular self-assembly of simple aromatic organic cations as structure-directing agents (SDAs). NUD-2 is a high-silicon-content germanosilicate with interconnecting 14 x 10-membered-ring channels. The SDAs in NUD-2 can be removed by calcination in air at 550 degrees C to yield permanent pores with a BET surface area of 500 m(2)g(-1). Both germanium and organic cations in NUD-2 can also be removed by treatment with acid at lower temperature, thus not only affording recycling of germanium and SDAs, but also providing a highly stable siliceous zeolite. In addition, aluminum ions can be incorporated into the framework of NUD-2. The NUD-2 structure is yet another extra-large-pore zeolite synthesized by using the supramolecular self-assembling templating approach, thus demonstrating that this approach is a general and applicable strategy for synthesis of new large-and extra-large-pore zeolites.