INTERCALATION COMPOUNDS BETWEEN ETHYL 2-OXOCYCLOPENTANECARBOXYLATE AND SAPONITE

The retention of ethyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate by a saponite has been studied. Intercalation compounds were prepared by two different m ethods: 1) in repose at room temperature and 2) heating at 60 degrees C under reflux. Contact times between 2 and 12 days were considered fo r each method. The intercalation compounds obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, chemical analyses and th ermal analyses. This characterization indicates that the organic compo und is retained both in the interlayer region and at the edge of the c lay particles. The amount retained outside of the interlayer space is eliminated by careful washing with benzene and cyclohexane. The result s obtained when using acid-activated saponite -obtained by treatment o f the clay with dilute HCl solutions- in the intercalation experiments were similar to those obtained when using non-activated saponite.