Starting from a basic classification of “hierarchical porosity” this review gives a broad overview of preparation routes towards hierarchically porous all-zeolite and zeolite containing composite materials.

Hierarchically‐ordered zeolites have received increasing attention in the last 15 years due to their outstanding properties, which are explored in catalytic reaction with industrial relevance. Up to now, a large number of different synthetic strategies have been reported that allow to introduce an additional meso‐ or macropore system in addition to the intrinsic microporosity of classical zeolites. Thus, hierarchical zeolites combine the intrinsic (catalytic) properties of conventional zeolites with facilitated access and transport via the additional pore system. In this critical review, the various synthesis pathways reported so far are evaluated, several physico‐chemical methods required for in‐depth characterization of the hierarchical pore system are discussed, and selective applications that are or potentially will be of technical relevance are introduced. The present review provides a critical analysis of the present achievements and discusses future opportunities and challenges for the research on hierarchically‐ordered zeolite in particular with respect to their industrial use.

Layered materials, such as layered sodium silicates and layered double hydroxides (LDHs), are well-known for their remarkable adsorption, intercalation and swelling properties. Their tunable interlayers offer an interesting avenue for the fabrication of pillared nanoporous materials, organic–inorganic hybrid materials and catalysts or catalyst supports. This perspective article provides a summary of the reactivity and applications of layered materials including aluminium-free layered sodium silicates (kanemite, ilerite (RUB-18 or octosilicate) and magadiite) and layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Recent developments in the use of layered sodium silicates as precursors for the preparation of various porous, functional and catalytic materials including zeolites, mesoporous materials, pillared layered silicates, organic–inorganic nanocomposites and synthesis of highly dispersed nanoparticles supported on silica are reviewed in detail. Along this perspective, we have attempted to illustrate the reactivity and transformational potential of LDHs in order to deduce the main differences and similarities between these two types of layered materials.