Metal-containing macrostructures of porous inorganic oxide, preparation thereof, and use

Abstract

There is provided a catalyst containing porous macrostructures comprised of: (a) a three-dimensional network of particles of porous inorganic material (e.g., zeolites); and, (b) at least one metal (e.g., a catalytically active metal). The particles of the at least one macrostructure occupy less than 75% of the total volume of the at least one macrostructure and are jointed together to form a three-dimensional interconnected network. The three-dimensional interconnected network will usually be comprised of pores having diameters greater than about 20 Å. The macrostructures can be made by forming an admixture containing a porous organic ion exchanger (e.g., a polymer-based ion exchange resin) and a synthesis mixture (e.g., for zeolite formation) capable of forming the porous inorganic material and the at least one metal; converting the synthesis mixture to the porous inorganic material; and removing the porous organic ion exchanger from the inorganic material. The metal-containing macrostructures find application in hydrocarbon conversion (e.g., hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, dehydrocyclization, isomerization, hydrocracking, dewaxing, reforming, conversion of alkyl aromatics, etc.) and in the reduction of emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and/or oxides of nitrogen from an internal combustion engine.