Catalysts and shape selective catalysis in the methanol-to-olefin (MTO) reaction

Abstract Recent advances in the shape selectivity of zeolites and molecular sieve catalysts for the methanol-to-olefins (MTO) reaction are elaborated in this minireview. The concept and classification of shape selectivity are briefly introduced and summarized. The effect of cavity structure of cavity-type zeolites and molecular sieves are comprehensively discussed, with focus on the formation of hydrocarbon pool intermediates, reaction route, diffusion, product selectivity, as well as deactivation in the chemical environment of cavity-type molecular sieves. Furthermore, the impact of topology of zeolites and molecular sieves on reaction route and product selectivity are elucidated, with special attention on the shape selectivity of 1-dimensional 10-membered ring zeolites. The debate regarding the impact of coke formation on product selectivity over SAPO-34 is also discussed in detail. Moreover, the progress of modification strategies including metal cations incorporation and pre-coking process for improving shape selectivity have been summarized. The perspective of shape selective catalysis in future is outlined and predicted.