Incorporation of cerium atoms into Al-free Beta zeolite framework for catalytic application

Ce(IV)-containing zeolite Beta was successfully prepared by a reproducible and scalable two-step post-synthesis strategy. This consists of creating vacant T sites that are associated with silanol groups by the dealumination of the H-Beta zeolite and a subsequent dry impregnation of the resultant Si-Beta zeolite with cerium (IV) isopropoxide. XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis and H-1 MAS NMR confirmed that Ce(IV) was successfully incorporated into the Beta zeolite framework by the post-synthesis procedures and that they exist as isolated atoms with tetrahedral coordination. The mechanism of Ce incorporation into the framework of Beta zeolite was confirmed by DRIFT spectroscopy. The ring-opening hydration of epoxides to their corresponding 1,2-diols was selected as a model reaction for an evaluation of the catalytic performance of the as-synthesized Ce-Beta zeolite. (C) 2015, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.