When some of Si⁺⁴ in frame work silicates are replaced by Al⁺³ and an additional metal ion, it results in the formation of

When some of the Si⁺⁴ in framework silicates are replaced by Al+3 and an additional metal ion, it results in the formation of zeolites.

Zeolites are a group of microporous, aluminosilicate minerals with a framework structure consisting of interconnected tetrahedra of SiO₄ and AlO₄. The presence of aluminum in the framework gives zeolites a negative charge, which is balanced by the presence of cations such as sodium, potassium, or calcium. These cations are typically loosely bound and can be exchanged with other cations, allowing for a wide range of applications such as in catalysis, ion exchange, and molecular sieves.