Modified reverse ADOR assembles Al-rich UTL zeolite from IPC-1P layers

Extra-Large pore zeolites dear the way for the synthesis of fine chemicals and bulky compounds unable to enter the channels of medium- and Large-pore zeolites. However, such extra-Large pore zeolites rarely contain catalytically active elements and often show Limited stability. In this study, we modified the Reverse assembly-disassembly-organisation-reassembly (ADOR) process to prepare extra-Large pore zeolite UTL from Layered IPC-1P while simultaneously incorporating a high amount of aluminium (reaching Si/Al = 15) into the framework. Using this modified Reverse ADOR approach, we significantly reduced the synthesis time of alumino-germanosilicate UTL from the 28 days needed for direct synthesis to only 24 hours for reconstruction and 14 days in total. Furthermore, in the tetrahydropyranylation of 1-decanol over the reconstructed UTL zeolite, directly synthesised UTL and commercial Beta zeolite, used as a reference, reconstructed UTL provided conversion up to 61.4%, outperforming directly synthesised UTL and Beta with 14.8 and 0% conversion, respectively. The modified Reverse ADOR procedure enables us to introduce mesoporosity into zeolites, which further improves their catalytic performance by facilitating active site accessibility.

Automated summary

This study modified the Reverse ADOR process to prepare extra-Large pore zeolite UTL, incorporating a high amount of aluminium into the framework. The modified process significantly reduces synthesis time and improves catalytic performance of the reconstructed UTL zeolite.