Readily recyclable catalysts of zeolite nanoparticles linked with polymer chains

•The polymer-linked nano-zeolite can be readily separated from the reaction mixtures.•The polymer linkage enhances shape selectivity.•The external acid sites are passivated with the polymer linkers. Aggregates of zeolite nanoparticles were linked together with polypropylene oxide or polydimethylsiloxane polymer chains, and were used as catalysts for liquid-phase reactions. The polymer-linked catalysts showed high catalytic activity in esterification of acetic acid with 1-propanol and hydrolysis of ethyl acetate, and were readily separated from reaction mixtures by decantation. Moreover, the linkage with the polymer chains enhanced shape selectivity in esterification of acetic acid with cyclohexanol and dehydration of 1-phenylethanol because of passivating the external acid sites of the zeolite with the polymer.