Formation of Frustrated Lewis Pairs in Pt x ‐Loaded Zeolite NaY

Abstract The formation of a frustrated Lewis pair consisting of sodium hydride (Na + H − ) and a framework‐bound hydroxy proton O(H + ) is reported upon H 2 treatment of zeolite NaY loaded with Pt nanoparticles (Pt x /NaY). Frustrated Lewis pair formation was confirmed using in situ neutron diffraction and spectroscopic measurements. The activity of the intrazeolite NaH as a size‐selective catalyst was verified by the efficient esterification of acetaldehyde (a small aldehyde) to form the corresponding ester ethyl acetate, whereas esterification of the larger molecule benzaldehyde was unsuccessful. The frustrated Lewis pair (consisting of Na + H − and O(H + )) generated within zeolite NaY may be a useful catalyst for various catalytic reactions which require both H − and H + ions, such as catalytic hydrogenation or dehydrogenation of organic compounds and activation of small molecules.