Location and orientation of the N,N-diisopropylethylamine template molecule in the AlPO4-18 framework by X-ray synchrotron diffraction and molecular modelling

Phase pure AlPO4 with the AlPO4-18 (AEI) structure was synthesised using N,N-diisopropylethylamine as a template. Using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction and computational methods, the location and orientation of the N,N-diisopropylethylamine molecules inside the cages of the AEI structure were determined. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the number of template molecules per unit cell was consistent with the diffraction study. We unequivocally show that only one template molecule is present in each cage of the crystalline AEI material. Our work demonstrates that a combined approach enables accurate structure resolution of such complex materials.

Graphical AbstractA combination of high-resolution powder diffraction and molecular modelling allowed determination of the as-synthesised structure of AlPO4-18 templated with N,N-diisopropylethylamine.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide