208574

Molecular sieves, 3 Å

beads, 4-8 mesh

• Synonym(s): Molecular Sieve UOP Type 3Å
• Linear Formula: K_nNa_12-n[(AlO₂)₁₂(SiO₂)₁₂] · xH₂O
• CAS Number: 308080-99-1
• MDL number: MFCD00147627
• UNSPSC Code: 23201100
• eCl@ss: 32110204
• NACRES: NB.24

Properties

• form: beads
• Quality Level: 100
• particle size: 4-8 mesh
• pore size: 3 Å

Description

General description

Molecular sieves are crystalline metal aluminosilicates having a 3-dimensional interconnecting network of silica and alumina tetrahedra. Natural water of hydration is removed from this network by heating to produce uniform cavities which selectively adsorb molecules of a specific size. The 3A form is made by substituting potassium cations for the inherent sodium ions of the 4A structure, reducing the effective pore size to ~3Å, excluding diameter >3Å, e.g., ethane. The 4 to 8-mesh type is normally used in gas-phase applications. Molecular sieves are considered a universal drying agent in polar and nonpolar media.

Application

Molecular sieves have been used for the drying of dimethyl sulfoxide.[1]
They may also be used in the following:

• Synthesis of ecteinascidin 743 (a potential marine-derived antitumor agent).[2]
• Preparation of vanillyl nonanoate (a model capsinoid compound).[3]
• Highly enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with nitroalkenes.[4]

Molecular sieves, 3 Å may be used in the following processes:

• As a general-purpose drying agent in polar and nonpolar media.
• Commercial dehydration of unsaturated hydrocarbon streams, including cracked gas, propylene, butadiene, acetylene
• Drying polar liquids such as methanol and ethanol.
• Adsorption of molecules such as NH₃ and H₂O from a N₂/H₂ flow.

Safety Information

• Storage Class: 13 - Non Combustible Solids
• wgk_germany: WGK 3
• flash_point_f: Not applicable
• flash_point_c: Not applicable