Postsynthesis of FAU-type stannosilicate as efficient heterogeneous catalyst for Baeyer-Villiger oxidation

•Sn-Y zeolite with hierarchical pore system is successfully prepared using the atom-planting method.•Sn ions are tetrahedrally incorporated into the zeolite framework by the reaction between the SnCl4 molecules and the “silanol nests”.•A precise acid treatment determines not only the quantity but also the quality of the inserted Sn species.•Sn-Y exhibits a high catalytic activity in the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation using hydrogen peroxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant.

Sn-Y zeolite with hierarchical pore system was prepared using the atom-planting method from properly dealuminated USY zeolite and SnCl4 vapor. Sn ions were tetrahedrally incorporated into the zeolite framework by the reaction between the SnCl4 molecules and the “silanol nests” generated by steaming and acid treatment. The amount of incorporated Sn depended closely on the dealumination degree, in which the maximum Sn content of 2.6 wt.% was achieved when the parent USY zeolite was treated by precisely controlled acid treatment. Compared with Sn-MFI, Sn-MWW, Sn-MCM-41, hydrothermally synthesized or postsynthesized Sn-Beta, thus prepared Sn-Y zeolite showed excellent catalytic properties in the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of 2-adamantanone using hydrogen peroxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant, which was mainly attributed to the open pore system contributed by 3-dimensional 12-membered ring channels and dealumination-derived intracrystal mesoporosity.

Graphical abstractFAU-type stannosilicate (Sn-Y) with hierarchical pore structure, postsynthesized by acid treatment and atom-planting method, shows excellent catalytic properties in the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of ketones using hydrogen peroxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidant.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (132 K)Download as PowerPoint slide