Sulfonium-based organic structure-directing agents for microporous aluminophosphate synthesis

Abstract

Sulfur-centered phenyl, n-butyl, p-tolyl, and benzyl sulfoniums and sulfides were tested as organic structure-directing agents (SDAs) for the synthesis of crystalline microporous aluminophosphates (AIPOs) over various ranges of gel compositions, hydrothermal treatment temperatures, and crystallization times. Among the investigated compounds, triphenylsulfonium gave single-phase products of ATS-type AlPO and silicoaluminophosphate. Other sulfoniums yielded only non-porous, dense crystalline AlPOs. On the other hand, diaryl sulfides gave a tiny amount of AFI-type AlPO amid tridymite and amorphous phases. Based on the results, it was found to be reasonable that weakly basic sulfide could hardly act as a zeotype SDA due to the low protonation to sulfonium at the present synthesis pH.