Adsorbate Clustering and Proton Transfer in Zeolites: NMR Spectroscopy and Theory

Proton transfer in zeolites: A theoretical and experimental NMR study of cluster formation in HZSM-5 shows that cooperative hydrogen bonding drives the proton-transfer reaction in the case of water (see picture). In comparison, hydrogen sulfide is unable to affect proton transfer at any loading in the zeolite. Thus, the ability of water to transfer the proton from HZSM-5 results from its clustering capability, not its intrinsic proton affinity.