Keywords: Zeolites / Copper / Ab initio calculations / Density functional calculations / ESR spectroscopy / UV/Vis spectroscopy / Heterogeneous catalysis Zeolites loaded with transition metal ions are promising heterogeneous catalysts. Knowledge about the location and structure of the metal centers is of paramount importance for the understanding of the catalytic potential of these materials. In this work, the spectroscopic studies of the coordination of Cu II in zeolite A, ZK4, X, Y and mordenite are reviewed. Experimentally, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy [a] teaches general chemistry and computational chemistry. Her main research interest is the application of ab initio methods for the study of spectroscopic and magnetic properties of systems containing transition metals. Marijke H. Groothaert (left center) was born in Neerpelt, Belgium in 1975. In 1998 she received her M. S. degree from the . Since 1998 she is a PhD student at the Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis under the supervision of Professor Robert A. Schoonheydt. Her research is concentrated on the coordination of transition metal ions in zeolites and combines spectroscopic techniques with computational methods. Robert A. Schoonheydt (left bottom) received his M. S. degree in 1966 and . Hab. in Leuven, where he teaches quantum chemistry, computational chemistry, and inorganic chemistry. His main research interests are in the application of computational methods in different areas of chemistry.MICROREVIEWS: This feature introduces the readers to the authors' research through a concise overview of the selected topic. Reference to important work from others in the field is included.
515(DRS) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy have been applied to study the coordination of Cu II in zeolites. Ab initio calculations on model clusters, representing the Cu II sites in zeolites, are used for the interpretation of the experimental data. The combination of experimental spectroscopic information with theoretical results leads to a new and profound insight into the Cu II −zeolite interaction.