Zeolites Go Organic

Zeolites--crystalline aluminosilicates with a microporous structure--are used extensively in catalysis and for separations. Most efforts directed at modifying their frameworks with organic molecules have added pendant groups that tend to block their micropores. Jones highlights a paper ( Yamamoto et al.) that describes the preparation of zeolites that incorporate organic groups directly into the pore walls. Methylene units substitute for bridging oxygen, and silicon atoms bear methyl or methylene groups.