The incorporation of Zn2+ into tetrahedral framework positions of zeol
ites with the sodalite topology (SOD) is obtained by direct synthesis.
The zincosilicates are characterized by thermal analyses, a Rietveld
refinement of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, and infrared (IR) a
nd H-1, Na-23, C-13, and Si-29 MAS NMR spectroscopies. A zinc substitu
tion level as high as Si/Zn = 6-7 is achieved and constitutes by far t
he largest extent of isomorphous substitution by a doubly charged hete
roatom in the framework of a zeolite. Two types of beta-cage occupanci
es (TMA+ and Na+) are observed.