Enhanced Reactivity of Accessible Protons in Sodalite Cages of Faujasite Zeolite

Faujasite (FAU) zeolites (with Si/Al ratio of ca. 1.7) undergo mild dealumination at moderate ion exchange conditions (0.01 to 0.6 M NH4NO3 solutions) resulting in protons circumscribed by sodalite cages becoming accessible for reaction without conspicuous changes bulk crystallinity. The (HSOD) supercages (HSUP) can be systematically manipulated from 0 1 adjusting ammonium concentrations used exchange. fraction the is assessed virtue infrared spectra H-D deuterated propane based on band area OD2620/OD2680 (ODSOD/ODSUP). Protons show higher rate constants dehydrogenation (kD) and cracking (kC) than plausibly due confinement effects being more prominent smaller voids. Rate including kD/kC ratios are also augmented as enhanced. These accessibility reactivity hitherto inconspicuous revealed herein via methods that increase cations located cages.