Interaction between Zeolites and Cluster Compounds

The adsorption isotherms of Fe(CO), on Nay, HY and Linde L zeolites obtained in McBain balances show micropore adsorption, whereas additional capillary condensation is found with zeolite omega and Na-mordenite. The pores and/or cages of the zeolites studied are completely filled with the complex upon saturation, with the exception of Na-mordenite. Their behaviour is explained, respectively, by pore blocking and the occurrence of channel openings that are too narrow. The silicalite channel system also is too narrow to accept Fe(CO), molecules. Infrared results show that an increasing interaction of the complex with faujasites exists in the sequence: dealuminated Y < CsY < HY < Nay. This is derived from the increasing band half-width of the adsorbed complex in the CO stretching region and from the increasing intensity of the v1 vibration, which upon adsorption becomes i.r. active. The interaction is assumed to be influenced mainly by electrostatic fields in the cages or pores, which can lead to a very restricted mobility for the encaged complex. The complex seems to remain intact upon adsorption at 293 K in all the zeolites studied.