Intrazeolite photochemistry. I. Phosphorescence enhancement of aromatic ketones included in silicalite.

Abstract

The triplet lifetime of β-phenylpropiophenone at room temperature is enhanced by ca. five orders of magnitude upon inclusion in the channels of silicalite, a hydrophobic zeolite. This behaviour is attributed to restrictions to mobility in this medium, and it is suggested that photochemical probes can provide a rather unique insight in the study of intrazeolite chemical processes.