SYNTHESIS OF IRON-SILICATE ANALOGS OF ZEOLITE MORDENITE

Crystalline mordenite containing iron has been prepared and characterized. Evidence for the presence of Fe in the lattice framework is obtained from chemical analysis, XRD, framework i.r., e.s.r. and solid-state MAS n.m.r. spectroscopies, d.t.a./t.g., magnetic susceptibility, and catalytic activity data. Chemical analysis and n.m.r. confirm the absence of a significant amount of Al in the zeolite (SiO2/Al2O3 > 1000). The sample was white in color. Lattice Fe leads to an increase in the X-ray "d" values. The framework i.r. bands are shifted to lower frequencies on Fe incorporation in the lattice. E.s.r. and magnetic susceptability data indicate the presence of well-dispersed tetrahedral Fe3+. Mordenite (Fe) possesses significant activity and shape selectivity in the isomerization of m-xylene. The activity is, however, lower than that of the Al analog.