Picosecond infrared activation of methanol in acid zeolites

Mischa Bonn, Rutger A. Van Santen, Johannes A. Lercher, Aart W. Kleyn, Huib J. Bakker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Highly porous, crystalline zeolite catalysts are used industrially to catalyze the conversion of methanol to gasoline. We have performed a picosecond spectroscopic study providing insights into both the structure and the dynamics of methanol adsorbed to acid zeolites. We reveal the adsorption structure of methanol at the catalytically reactive site and show that the reaction of this complex in the zeolite to the first intermediate in the methanol-to-gasoline reaction sequence is initiated by picosecond infrared excitation. The picosecond dynamics of this activation process can be followed in real-time, and reflects the potential energy surface relevant to the reaction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)213-219
Number of pages7
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume278
Issue number4-6
DOIs
StatePublished - 31 Oct 1997
Externally publishedYes

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