Dynamics of Silicate Species in Solution Studied by Mass Spectrometry with Isotopically Labeled Compounds

Abstract

Concerted exchange of four and three Si atoms is respectively responsible for interconversion of cubic octameric (picture: quality of a fit for single- (A), two- (B), and four-atom exchange (C); C fits the experimental pattern best) and prismatic hexameric silicate species in solution according to mass spectrometry with isotopically labeled compounds. These findings have important implications for nucleation and growth processes of zeolites and other silicates.