Supermolecular layered double hydroxides

Research progresses in the layered double hydroxides [M(1-x)2+Mx3+ (OH)(2)] (x+) A(x/n)(n-) . mH(2)O intercalated with metal coordinate ions or oxometa lates in the last ten years are reviewed. These layered double hydroxides a re mainly intercalated with polyoxometalate (POM) ions, a LiAl-LDH photoche mical assembly containing TiO2 and CH3(CH2)(12)COO- anions, together with Z n(TPPC) (porphyrin derivate) and macrocyclic ligand-containing porphyrin de rivate anions. Emphasis is put on the synthesis methods for intercalation o f the anions into the interlayer regions, the characterization techniques a nd structures for the layered compounds and the newest research progress in the fields such as catalysis. The review also forecasts the prospects of t he field.