Probing the Structure-Function Relationships of Active Sites in Tin Beta Using Stannasilsesquioxanes As Models

A well-defined, active, single-site, homogeneous stannasilsesquioxane catalyst has been developed to model the active sites found in Sn-Beta. This provides a unique opportunity to study carbohydrate reaction mechanisms with an isolated Lewis acidic tin site, which is not currently possible with heterogeneous catalysts.