CARBONYL-COMPLEXES IN PILLARED CLAYS

Mo(CO)6 is adsorbed between the layers of aluminium pillared montmorillonite clay. The chemistry of interaction with the clay resembles that with zeolite HY; the caxbonyl complex interacts with the structural hydroxyl groups of the clay, and can be decarbonylated partially and reversibly at 373 K and completely and irreversibly at 473 K. Complete decarbonylation is accompanied by oxidation of the molybdenum to the 5+ state. The method allows preparation of pillared clays containing about 1 wt.% transition metal. Similar chemistry occurs with Fe(CO)5.