Identification of double four-ring units in germanosilicate ITQ-13 zeolite by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Abstract

Well-crystallized Ge-free and Ge-ITQ-13 were successfully obtained by solid state synthesis method. The Ge/Si ratio and the water content that are the two important factors in the synthesis of germanosilicate zeolites were explored for the formation of ITQ-13. The effect of the mineralizing agents (NH4F and NH4Cl) on the ITQ-13 synthesis was investigated as well. The obtained pure silica ITQ-13 and Ge-ITQ-13 were characterized by one- and two-dimensional solid- state NMR techniques. One-dimensional (1D) 19F MAS, 1H→29Si CP/MAS and 19F→29Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy evidenced the formation of pure Si-D4R (double four ring) and Ge-D4R units, with the latter being generated by substitution of Si atom from the former units. The detailed configurations of the Ge-D4R units in ITQ-13 was revealed by two-dimensional (2D) 29Si{19F} HETCOR NMR spectroscopy. With the help of theoretical calculations on the 19F and 29Si NMR chemical shifts, six types of D4R units were determined. The formation of the specific D4R unit confirms the structural directing roles of Ge atom and F ions in the formation of the D4R units in zeolite framework. The identification of the SiOSi bonds in the D4R units that connects the layers of ITQ-13 framework provided rationale for the high stability of the ITQ-13 in the degermanation treatment.