Self-Pillared, Single-Unit-Cell Sn-MFI Zeolite Nanosheets and Their Use for Glucose and Lactose Isomerization

Single-unit-cell Sn-MFI, with the detectable Sn uniformly distributed and exclusively located at framework sites, is reported for the first time. The direct, single-step, synthesis is based on repetitive branching caused by rotational intergrowths of single-unit-cell lamellae. The self-pillared, meso- and microporous zeolite is an active and selective catalyst for sugar isomerization. High yields for the conversion of glucose into fructose and lactose to lactulose are demonstrated.