The synthesis of hierarchical Sn-Beta zeolite via aerosol-assisted hydrothermal method combined with a mild base treatment

Abstract

Abstract The Sn-Beta zeolite is an efficient Lewis acid catalyst for a wide range of chemical reactions. Here a seed-free aerosol-assisted hydrothermal strategy is used to synthesize plate-like Sn-Beta zeolite with higher tin content. A majority of Sn species were transformed into the framework of Beta zeolite as the desired tetrahedral coordination state, which creates strong Lewis acid sites. Moreover, the diffusion property of the Sn-Beta zeolite can be further improved by a mild base-surfactant (NH3˙H2O-CTAB) treatment. The addition of CTAB can not only narrow the mesopore distribution but also prevent the excessive loss of Sn species. The obtained hierarchical Sn-Beta zeolite exhibits an enhanced catalytic performance in the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of bulky ketone.