Unveiling the Catalytic Role of Zeolite P1 in Carbonylation Reaction

Zeolite P1, a significant conversion product of fly ash, is predominantly utilized for the removal of metal ions, adsorption of carbon dioxide, and capture of aromatic compounds. Despite its diverse applications, its role as a catalyst remains underexplored in the scientific community. Traditionally, mordenite (MOR) zeolites are considered typical dimethyl ether (DME) carbonylation catalysts, whose Brønsted acid sites located on the 8-membered rings (8-MR) are the key active sites for this reaction. This conventional approach underscores the importance of specific zeolite structures in facilitating catalytic processes. H–P1 zeolite was synthesized through a template-free approach in this paper. When applied to DME carbonylation, this zeolite exhibited an impressive selectivity of up to 93% for methyl acetate (MA), suggesting its potential as a highly effective catalyst. This promising outcome hints at a new frontier for the application of the P1 zeolite, potentially revolutionizing its role in catalysis and expanding its utility beyond traditional adsorption processes. The findings suggest that the P1 zeolite could be a versatile material in the realm of catalytic chemistry, offering new pathways and methodologies for various chemical reactions.