Co-Ba Cation Pair Faujasite Zeolite

Doubles O₂ Activation

Asymmetric Ba²⁺···Co²⁺ cation pair sites cooperatively activate molecular oxygen, significantly enhancing styrene epoxidation selectivity over conventional single Co²⁺ sites.

Yang, Xue · Liu, Zhangyun · Gao, Boxu · Chen, Zheng · Kexin, Yan · Wang, Sinong · Xia, Yujian · Zhang, Yahong · Wang, Lei · Xu, Xin · Tang, Yi

ACS Catalysis 2023

Advantages

Active sites are confirmed as binuclear Co²⁺···Co²⁺ or Ba²⁺···Co²⁺ cation pairs, not single Co²⁺

The cation pair structure is verified by DFT calculations and experimental characterizations

Selectivity of styrene epoxidation is significantly enhanced