Diatomic molecular probes for mid-IR studies of zeolites

Mid-IR spectroscopy of adsorbed probe molecules is a very active research field which contributes to a deepening of our knowledge of the local structure of zeolite active sites, and of the physico-chemical properties of the intrazeolite space. This has strong bearings on the many technological applications of zeolites and of related microporous materials. This review discusses the use of diatomic molecular probes for IR studies of Bronsted and Lewis acidity, structural defects and internal electric fields. Dual acid-base pairs are also considered.