CHARACTERIZATION AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF NOVEL COMPOUNDS CONTAININGMETAL-IONS INCORPORATED INTO A LAYERED VANADYL PHOSPHATE

The addition of metal ions such as Zn2+, Ni2+ and Pd2+ during the prep aration of the layered vanadyl hydrogen phosphate VOHPO4.0.5H2O in aqu eous medium, leads to the formation of a new phase containing mixed-va lent vanadium. In contrast, when the same metal ions are added during the preparation of the vanadyl hydrogen phosphate in organic medium, t he structure of the parent compound is retained and the metal ions app ear to be present in the lattice. The metal ions incorporated into the vanadyl hydrogen phosphate prepared in different media have been foun d to be catalytically active, with the activity depending upon the mod e of incorporation of the metal ion.