Zeolites are extremely useful as catalysts for several important reactions involving organic molecules. The most important are cracking, isomerisation and hydrocarbon synthesis. Zeolites can promote a diverse range of catalytic reactions including acid-base and metal induced reactions. The reactions can take place within the pores of the zeolite - which allows a greater degree of product control.

A widely used property of zeolites is that of gas separation. The porous structure of zeolites can be used to "seive" molecules having certain dimensions and allow them to enter the pores. This property can be fine tuned by variating the structure by changing the size and number of cations around the pores. Other applications that can take place within the pore include polymerisation of semiconducting materials and conducting polymers to produce materials having unusual physical and electrical attributes.

Hydrated cations within the zeolite pores are bound loosely to the zeolite framework, and can readily exchange with othercations when in aqueous media. Applications of this can be seen in water softening devices, and the use of zeolites in detergents and soaps. It is even possible to remove radioactive ions from contaminated water, as was demonstrated at nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and at Three-Mile Island.