Effect of crystal size on the acidity of nanometric Y zeolite: number of sites, strength, acid nature, and dehydration of 2-propanol

Crystallinity damage in acid Y zeolite affects the direct relationship between the number of acid sites or conversion of 2-propanol and the zeolite size and the selectivity of 2-propene in nanosized Y zeolite.

Zeolite-Y encapsulated cobalt(ii) Schiff-base complexes employed for photocatalytic dye-degradation and upcycling CO2

Planar cobalt(ii) Schiff-base complexes show modified structural and functional properties after encapsulation inside zeolite-Y.

An insight into the catalytic activity of palladium Schiff-base complexes towards the Heck coupling reaction: routes via encapsulation in zeolite-Y

A small set of palladium Schiff-base complexes were synthesized and entrapped in the supercage of zeolite-Y. All these novel complexes in both states were systematically characterized with the help of different characterization tools like XRD, SEM-EDS, thermal analysis, XPS, IR, electronic spectroscopic and theoretical studies. These systems were thoroughly studied for their catalytic activities towards the Heck coupling reaction between bromobenzene and styrene. The aim was to meticulously compare the performance of the homogeneous catalysts, i.e., neat palladium Schiff-base complexes with that of their heterogeneous encapsulated analogs. The experimental as well as theoretical electronic structure studies suggested significant structural modification of the guest Pd(ii)-Schiff-base complexes after encapsulation in zeolite Y. These complexes manifested modified catalytic activities towards the Heck coupling reaction. The theoretical studies reinforced the correlation between the modified catalytic properties and structural alteration of these complexes on encapsulation. These heterogeneous catalysts essentially demonstrated the benefits of easy separation and reusability as compared to the homogeneous analogues.

Combined solid-state NMR, FT-IR and computational studies on layered and porous materials

Understanding the structure-property relationship of solids is of utmost relevance for efficient chemical processes and technological applications in industries. This contribution reviews the concept of coupling three well-known characterization techniques (solid-state NMR, FT-IR and computational methods) for the study of solid state materials which possess 2D and 3D architectures and discusses the way it will benefit the scientific communities. It highlights the most fundamental and applied aspects of the proactive combined approach strategies to gather information at a molecular level. The integrated approach involving multiple spectroscopic and computational methods allows achieving an in-depth understanding of the surface, interfacial and confined space processes that are beneficial for the establishment of structure-property relationships. The role of ssNMR/FT-IR spectroscopic properties of probe molecules in monitoring the strength and distribution of catalytic active sites and their accessibility at the porous/layered surface is discussed. Both experimental and theoretical aspects will be considered by reporting relevant examples. This review also identifies and discusses the progress, challenges and future prospects in the field of synthesis and applications of layered and porous solids.

Supramolecular Organization in Confined Nanospaces

Empty spaces are abhorred by nature, which immediately rushes in to fill the void. Humans have learnt pretty well how to make ordered empty nanocontainers, and to get useful products out of them. When such an order is imparted to molecules, new properties may appear, often yielding advanced applications. This review illustrates how the organized void space inherently present in various materials: zeolites, clathrates, mesoporous silica/organosilica, and metal organic frameworks (MOF), for example, can be exploited to create confined, organized, and self-assembled supramolecular structures of low dimensionality. Features of the confining matrices relevant to organization are presented with special focus on molecular-level aspects. Selected examples of confined supramolecular assemblies - from small molecules to quantum dots or luminescent species - are aimed to show the complexity and potential of this approach. Natural confinement (minerals) and hyperconfinement (high pressure) provide further opportunities to understand and master the atomistic-level interactions governing supramolecular organization under nanospace restrictions.