VPI-5: The first molecular sieve with pores larger than 10 Ångstroms

The adsorption properties of a novel family of aluminophosphate based molecular sieves denoted as VPI-5 are described. These molecular sieves are the first to contain pores larger than 10 Å. The large pores of the VPI-5 sieves consist of channels circumscribed by eighteen membered rings and possess free diameters of approximately 12–13 Å. The VPI-sieves are capable of adsorbing molecules excluded from other molecular sieves.