We have been exploring molecular sieve synthesis using metal complexes as templates. Our objectives were to affect the crystallization of new structures as well as prepare bifunctional catalysts via the encapsulation of metal complexes during synthesis. In this paper the results for the synthesis of SiO2, AlPO4 and SAPO molecular sieves in the presence of metallocenes will be presented. In particular, Cobalticinium ion, Cp2Co+, was found to be a template for Nonasil, AlPO4−5, AlPO4−16, SAPO−16 and CoAPO−16 which are known phases but require templates. The larger decamethyl derivative, CP*2Co+ has produced a novel high silica zeolite molecular sieve, UTD-1 as well as a new SAPO phase UTD-2 which appear to be large pore materials. In all cases, the metal complex is occluded intact and cannot be extracted. Aspects of the synthesis and characterization of these microporous materials are presented below.
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