Reaction of lithium-aluminum hydroxide with aqueous hydrogen peroxide

A heterophase ion-exchange reaction between solid lithium aluminum hydroxid e (LAH) and hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution and in the gaseous phase produced peroxo intercalation compounds containing 9.3 and 5.5% active oxyg en O-act. The peroxo intercalation compounds conserve the layered structure of LAH. A provisional model of the intercalation of LAH by hydrogen peroxi de was advanced. Presumably, during the reaction of LAH with hydrogen perox ide, peroxide groups substitute for the extant hydroxo groups. Two mobile h ydroxo groups, located in the interlayer space, are changed to two hydroper oxo groups. Bound molecular water is also in part replaced by hydrogen pero xide molecules. No insertion of peroxide groups into LAH, even if it contai ned vacant sites, was observed.