Disclosed are methods of producing SAPO-34 and MeAPSO-34 molecular sieves having nano-crystal morphology and optionally a hierarchical structure. Also disclosed are methods and systems of using said molecular sieve for catalyzing the reaction of alkyl halides to light olefins.

Methods for producing lactams from oximes by performing a Beckmann rearrangement using a hierarchical porous aluminophosphate catalyst having interconnected microporous and mesoporous networks are provided. Exemplary catalysts include a plurality of weak Br?nsted acid active sites, including silicon-containing aluminophosphates having the IZA framework code AFI, such as SAPO-5, CHA, such as SAPO-34, and FAU, such as SAPO-37.

Methods for producing lactams from oximes by performing a Beckmann rearrangement using a hierarchical porous aluminophosphate catalyst having interconnected microporous and mesoporous networks are provided. Exemplary catalysts include a plurality of weak Br?nsted acid active sites, including silicon-containing aluminophosphates having the IZA framework code AFI, such as SAPO-5, CHA, such as SAPO-34, and FAU, such as SAPO-37.

A new family of crystalline microporous metallophosphates designated AlPO-78 has been synthesized. These metallophosphates are represented by the empirical formula

R.sup.+.sub.rM.sub.m.sup.2+EP.sub.xSi.sub.yO.sub.z

where R is an organoammonium cation, M is a framework metal alkaline earth or transition metal of valence +2, and E is a trivalent framework element such as aluminum or gallium. The AlPO-78 compositions are characterized by a new unique ABC-6 net structure, and have catalytic properties suitable for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes, as well as characteristics suitable for the efficient adsorption of water vapor in a variety of applications, such as adsorption heat pumps.

A new family of crystalline microporous metallophosphates designated AlPO-85 has been synthesized. These metallophosphates are represented by the empirical formula

R.sup.+.sub.rM.sub.in.sup.2+EP.sub.xSi.sub.yO.sub.z

where M is a framework metal alkaline earth or transition metal of valence +2, such as magnesium or zinc, R is an organoammonium cation, and E is a trivalent framework element such as aluminum or gallium. The AlPO-85 compositions are characterized by a new unique ABC-6 net structure, and have catalytic properties suitable for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes, as well as characteristics suitable for adsorption applications.

A new family of crystalline microporous metallophosphates designated AlPO-77 has been synthesized. These metallophosphates are represented by the empirical formula

H.sub.xM.sub.m.sup.2+EP.sub.xSi.sub.yO.sub.z

where M is a framework metal alkaline earth or transition metal of valence +2, and E is a trivalent framework element such as aluminum or gallium. The AlPO-77 compositions are characterized by a new unique ABC-6 net structure, and have catalytic properties suitable for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes, as well as characteristics suitable for adsorption applications.

A family of highly charged crystalline microporous metallophosphate molecular sieves designated PST-17 has been synthesized. These metallophosphates are represented by the empirical formula of:

R.sup.p+.sub.rA.sub.m.sup.+M.sub.xE.sub.yPO.sub.z

where A is an alkali metal such as potassium, R is a quaternary ammonium cation such as ethyltrimethylammonium, M is a divalent metal such as zinc and E is a trivalent framework element such as aluminum or gallium. The PST-17 family of molecular sieves are stabilized by combinations of alkali and organoammonium cations, enabling unique metalloalumino(gallo)phosphate compositions and exhibit the BPH topology. The PST-17 family of molecular sieves has catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes and separation properties for separating at least one component.

Zeolitic materials with modified surface composition, crystal structure, crystal or particle size, and/or porosity, methods for making the same, and methods for converting oxygenates to olefins using the same are provided herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for reducing a surface silicon content of a silicon-containing zeolitic material is provided that includes providing a silicon-containing zeolitic material; and contacting the silicon-containing zeolitic material with a modifying solution comprising one or more of an amine, an alcoholamine, and an amino acid. In this embodiment, the contacting occurs under conditions suitable for the modifying solution to reduce a surface silicon content, increase the porosity, and/or decrease an average crystal or particle size of the silicon-containing zeolitic material.

Zeolitic materials with modified surface composition, crystal structure, crystal or particle size, and/or porosity, methods for making the same, and methods for converting oxygenates to olefins using the same are provided herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for reducing a surface silicon content of a silicon-containing zeolitic material is provided that includes providing a silicon-containing zeolitic material; and contacting the silicon-containing zeolitic material with a modifying solution comprising one or more of an amine, an alcoholamine, and an amino acid. In this embodiment, the contacting occurs under conditions suitable for the modifying solution to reduce a surface silicon content, increase the porosity, and/or decrease an average crystal or particle size of the silicon-containing zeolitic material.

Provided is AEI zeolite having a uniform acid strength of an appropriate degree. AEI zeolite comprising phosphorus, preferably AEI zeolite comprising phosphorus in the pores, and a method for producing AEI zeolite comprising a crystallization step of crystallizing a raw material mixture containing a tetraethylphosphonium cation.