Reactions of Methyl Iodide and Halopropanes with Na0 Treated and Untreated NaX and NaY Zeolites

Abstract

Products formed from reactions of methyl iodide, 1-chloropropane, 1-iodopropane and 1-bromopropane with Na0 treated and untreated NaX and NaY zeolites were studied using solid state 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy. At room temperature, methyl iodide dissociates to form framework methoxy in untreated NaX with no reaction observed in untreated NaY. Upon Na0 treatment, both NaX and NaY reacts with methyl iodide to form framework methoxy, methane and ethane. Longer carbon chain 1-iodo, bromo and chloropropane were also studied. 1-iodopropane undergoes dehalogenation to form framework propoxy while 1-chloropropane and 1-bromopropane undergoes dehalogenation/ dehydrohalogenation to form framework propoxy and propene.