RADIATION-CHEMICAL STUDIES IN ZEOLITES - RADICAL CATIONS AND ZEOLITE CATALYSIS

The constrained spaces within zeolites offer unique opportunities for chemical reaction control of very reactive intermediates. Here we revi ew studies which illustrate the use of EPR detection of paramagnetic s pecies following radiolysis of guest molecules in zeolites to gain new insights into reactions of organic radical cations. The radiolysis/EP R technique is also a valuable method to study catalytic transformatio ns on acidic zeolites. In essence, radiolysis is used to spin label pr oducts of catalysis in order that they may be detected and identified by EPR. Several examples are presented to show that application at low temperatures makes the radiolysis/EPR method a promising new in situ spectroscopy for elucidating mechanisms in zeolite catalysis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.