CATALYSIS BY METAL-IONS INTERCALATED IN LAYER LATTICE SILICATES

This chapter discusses the catalysis by metal ions intercalated in layer lattice silicates. Fluorotetrasilisic mica is a synthetic swelling layer lattice silicate. Because of the cation-exchange properties and the lack of acid sites on the sili cate sheet, fluorotetrasilicic mica (TSM) is a particularly appropriate carrier for use in the study of the intrinsic activities of metal ions in heterogeneous catalysis. The catalytic activities of metal ion-exchanged TSMs for the methanol conversion are individually different, depending on the metal ion. The interlayer spaces of layer lattice silicates are able to be utilized as a microvessel of catalyst solution, and all of the interlayer metal ions are effectively incorporated into the reaction when the interlayer spacing is expanded to a width great enough for the reactants to diffuse into the interlayers. Recently, the need for new catalytic materials has revived special interest in the layer lattice silicates because of their ion-exchange properties and their expandable layer structures. It is expected that the material shows the characteristic activity of the metal ion when the silicate sheet is catalytically inactive. © 1993, Academic Press Inc.