The hydrothermal synthesis of zeolites: History and development from the earliest days to the present time

Zeolites are the most important heterogeneous acid catalysts used in industry. In view of the industrial importance of zeolites and also because of the intrinsic scientific interest in their structural complexity and diverse chemistry, considerable effort has been directed into zeolite synthesis. An account is given of the main discoveries and advances in thinking in the field of zeolite synthesis from the 1940s up to late 2002. Focus is on the pattern of discovery and the consequent progression of ideas.