CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF ACID-TREATED MONTMORILLONITE IN POLAR AND NONPOLAR REACTION MEDIA

The catalytic activity of acid-treated montmorillonite clay towards Br onsted acid catalysed reactions is shown to be highly dependent on the degree of acid treatment received by the clay. Using two contrasting model reactions, one involving highly polar reactants and the other a non-polar reactant, the optimum treatment conditions for an acid-treat ed clay catalyst are also shown to depend upon the type of reaction be ing catalysed. In addition, the role of exchangeable Al3+ ions in gene rating catalytically active acid sites in the two reactions is investi gated.