Extensive intrazeolitic hydrolysis of Zn(II): partial structures of partially and fully hydrated Zn(II)-exchanged zeolite X

Complete Zn²⁺ exchange of two single crystals of zeolite X (Na₉₂Si₁₀₀Al₉₂O₃₈₄) was attempted at 80°C from aqueous Zn(NO₃)₂ (pH=5.5 at 23°C). The structures of crystal 1 (partially dehydrated by evacuation at 23°C and 10^?3 Torr for two days) and crystal 2 (fully hydrated) were determined by X-ray diffraction techniques in the cubic space group Fd at 23°C (a_o=24.750(5) and 24.872(6) Å, respectively). They were refined using all intensities to the final error indices R₁=0.126 and 0.116 based on the 428 and 348 reflections, respectively, for which F_o>4σ(F_o). Each crystal has about 54 Zn²⁺ ions per unit cell, indicating the uptake of eight excess Zn(OH)₂ molecules. In both crystals, further extensive hydrolysis of Zn²⁺ is seen. Many non-framework oxygens were not found. In crystal 1, 34 Zn²⁺ ions per unit cell occupy conventional cationic sites: 10 are at site I^′, 12 at site II, and 12 at site III^′. Three Zn²⁺ ions each coordinate to a framework oxygen at a non-conventional site in the supercages. Three Zn²⁺ ions at the centers of sodalite cavities each coordinate tetrahedrally to four non-framework oxygens to give (likely) Zn(OH)₂(H₂O)₂ which hydrogen bonds multiply to the zeolite framework. At three supercage positions, about 14 Zn²⁺ ions that do not coordinate to the zeolite framework are found. Per unit cell, 37 H₃O⁺ ions are found: 20 at site I^′ and 17 at site II. It is presumed, considering the number of H₃O⁺ ions, that the latter 14 Zn²⁺ ions are hydrolyzed Zn²⁺ ions, likely hydrated Zn(OH)₂ molecules, some likely bridging. In crystal 2, 33 Zn²⁺ ions per unit cell are found at conventional cationic sites: two at site I, 14 at two different sites I^′, seven at site II, and 10 at site III^′. As in crystal 1, three Zn²⁺ ions each coordinate to a framework oxygen at a non-conventional site in the supercage. At three supercage positions, about 18 Zn²⁺ ions that do not coordinate to the zeolite framework are found. Per unit cell, 40 H₃O⁺ ions are found: 18 at site II^′ and 22 at site II. Only about 16 non-framework oxygens were found per unit cell: eight water molecules in the supercages and, in the sodalite cages, eight hydroxide ions which participate in the formation of two nearly cubic Zn₄(OH)₄⁴⁺ clusters.