Synthesis of zeolites of faujasite structure

Abstract

A process is provided for the preparation of zeolites belonging to the faujasite structural class and exhibiting a Si:Al ratio higher than 1 in which a reaction mixture is first produced, which has a pH higher than 10 and contains water, a source of tetravalent silicon, a source of trivalent aluminum, a source of hydroxide ions in the form of a strong inorganic or organic base and a structuring agent ST so as to produce an aluminosilicate gel having the desired composition to permit its crystallization into a compound of the faujasite structural class. The gel obtained is kept at a temperature, pressure and for a sufficient period to effect the crystallization of the gel into a precursor of the zeolite consisting of the zeolite trapping the structuring agent ST in its cavities and the precursor is then subjected to a calcination to destroy the structuring agent and to produce the zeolite. The structuring agent ST consists of at least one compound belonging to the group formed by the carbon-containing macrorings and macropolyrings which contain in the rings heteroatoms chosen from oxygen, nitrogen, silicon and sulphur, and which contain 10 to 24 atoms per ring. Precursors of the zeolites are also provided.