Design of Zeolites with Specific Architectures Using Self-Assembled Aromatic Organic Structure Directing Agents

Abstract

A rationalized design of the organic structure directing agents (OSDAs) allows the preparation of zeolites with specific framework topologies, crystal sizes and/or chemical compositions. In the last years, organic molecules containing aromatic rings in their structures have been described as efficient OSDAs for the synthesis of zeolites with different physico-chemical properties. The unique ability of these aromatic molecules to form rigid and bulky OSDAs by supramolecular self-assembling of two organic molecules, mainly through π–π interactions, has allowed the synthesis of zeolites with large void volumes, controlled chemical distribution and/or high external surface areas. Along the present review, I would like to highlight the recent achievements reported in the literature using aromatic self-assembled bulky dimers as OSDAs for the synthesis of zeolites.