What do you understand by shape selective catalysis? Why are zeolites good shape selective catalysts?
The catalytic action that depends on the pore structure of the catalyst and the size of the reactant and product molecules is known as shape selective catalysis.
Zeolites are good shape-selective catalysts because of their honeycomb-like structures.
They are microporous aluminosilicates with three dimensional network of silicates in which some silicon atoms are replaced by aluminium atoms giving Al−O−Si framework.
The reactions taking place in zeolites depend upon the size and shape of reactant and product molecules as well as upon the pores and cavities of the zeolites.
They are found in nature as well as synthesised for catalytic selectivity. Some of them can be selective for large molecules and some of them are selective for small molecules.
Hence, they are good shape-selective molecules.