Natural tilings and free space in zeolites: models, statistics, correlations, prediction

Abstract We review two concepts in description of free space in the zeolite-like frameworks: topological (natural tiling) and geometrical-topological (Voronoi net). Advantages and disadvantages as well as similarities and differences of both concepts are discussed. We also consider the packing model of zeolite framework assemblage, which is derived from the natural tiling approach. New statistical data are given for natural tilings and Voronoi models of all known 239 zeolite frameworks. A route to modeling and prediction of new zeolite frameworks is outlined.