Structure of the first silicate molecular sieve with 18-ring pore openings, ECR-34

The three-dimensional microporosity of zeolite frameworks have allowed their widespread use in industry as heterogeneous catalysts, absorbents, and ion-exchangers. While the phosphate analogues of zeolites having up to 24 tetrahedral atoms in the pore openings are known, silicate-based zeolites have, until now, been limited to 14-membered ring pore openings. We now disclose the structure and characterization of the synthetic zeolite ECR-34, which can be prepared from a mixed alkali metal reaction gel containing tetraethylammonium (TEA) cations. Its structure has been determined from powder diffraction data and shows ECR-34 to be hexagonal with the dimensions a, b = 21.030(1) Angstrom, c = 8.530(1) Angstrom, containing one-dimensional, 18-ring pores with 10 Angstrom diameter free openings. ECR-34 is stable to 800 degreesC and is able to absorb and ion-exchange large organic molecules. The existence of ECR-34 suggests the potential of preparing other thermally stable silicate molecular sieves with extra-large pores.