ESR study of thianthrenium radical cation within acid zeolites

Abstract Thianthrene (E ox = 1.47 V vs NHE) has been adsorbed into a series of zeolites beta (s) and ZSM-5 in the NH 4 + or H + forms, having different particle size and Si/Al ratio. The resulting population of generated thianthrenium radical cation was determined by a combination of diffuse reflectance and ESR spectroscopies. From the results obtained it can be concluded: i) the process takes predominantly place in the interior of the voids (XPS measurements and lack of influence of the particle size); ii) ZSM-5 is more efficient than zeolite s; iii) no strong acid sites are required (both NH 4 + and H + forms produced very similar spin concentrations); iv) the zeolite framework acts isola…