Observation of reactive intermediates in the initial stage during ethene conversion over acidic zeolites†

Abstract

The key intermediates, i.e., surface ethoxy species, were observed upon the adsorption of ethene on zeolite H-Y for the first time. By combining a selective ¹³C-labeling protocol with a multitechnique approach, we confirmed the critical role of surface ethoxy species, that is, equilibrium with ethene in the primary step and further alkylation to form the C–C bond.