The effect of microwave irradiation on the crystalline structure and catalytic activity of clays

The effect of microwave (MW) irradiation on the crystalline structure of two natural clays and one commercial clay, Montmorillonite K10, was analyzed comparing the X-ray diffraction, N-2 isotherms, NMR-MAS of Al-27 and Si-29 spectra of the clays before and after MW irradiation. The preparation of dioxolane ketals of isatin was used to analyze the MW effect on the catalyst activation. The yields achieved using catalysts activated by MW irradiation were lower (2 to 5%) than the yields achieved using catalysts activated by heat in a conventional oven.