Zeolites

The family of microporous materials known as zeolites includes members that are aluminosilicates and primarily comprise silicon, aluminum, and oxygen. A wide range of cations, including Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and others, can be accommodated by the microporous structures of zeolites, which typically range in diameter from 0.3 to 0.8 nm. These positive ions are frequently held loosely and are easily exchanged for different positive ions in a contacting electrolyte solution. Cation exchanged zeolites have varying acidities and catalyse various reactions. Homogeneous catalysts are preferred in synthetic chemistry because they are readily available, inexpensive, and have excellent catalytic activity because all of the catalytic sites are readily accessible. However, these homogeneous catalysts have a number of drawbacks, including the fact that they are not reusable and require more than the stoichiometric amount. Another disadvantage of its use is that it may be dangerous to handle, toxic, corrosive, difficult to separate and recover, and difficult to dispose of due to the acidic effluent. Additionally, the complex's shape selectivity, thermal stability, and reusability cause corrosive by-products to be produced during hydrolysis and purification of the final product. In organic synthesis, zeolites are frequently used as catalysts in Freidel-Crafts alkylation and acylation reactions.