Synthesis and structural characterization of Al-containing interlayer-expanded-MWW zeolite with high catalytic performance

Treatment of the zeolitic layered precursor of Al-MWW, so-called Al-MWW(P), with diethoxydimethylsilane (DEDMS) in acidic media leads to the formation of an aluminosilicate-type interlayer-expanded zeolite MWW (Al-IEZ-MWW) with expanded 12-membered ring (12-MR) micropores. However, the silylation process under acidic conditions simultaneously causes dealumination from the MWW framework, resulting in a decrease in the acid amount. We have developed a method for preparing Al-IEZ-MWW without leaching of the Al species. The strategy is to conduct the silylation under weakly acidic conditions; the silylation was conducted in an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt, e.g. , NH 4 Cl, instead of HNO 3 . Subsequent additional acid treatment led to the formation of Al-IEZ-MWW that shows a high catalytic performance in the acylation of anisole compared to typical Al-MWW as well as Al-IEZ-MWW directly prepared under acidic conditions. The change in the state of Al atoms during the preparation process was investigated by high-resolution solid-state 27 Al MAS NMR and 27 Al MQMAS NMR techniques. Al-IEZ-MWW was successfully prepared via the interlayer-silylation in an aqueous solution of ammonium salt instead of HNO 3 .