THERMALLY STABLE COORDINATION-COMPOUNDS INTERCALATED IN MONTMORILLONITE CLAY MINERAL

Montmorillonite is a natural layered clay mineral having myriad applications due mainly to its remarkable ion exchange, intercalation, and swelling properties. It can act as a good host for several compounds. Two intercalated coordination compounds of Cu(II) and Ni(II) with 2,2'-bipyridyl have been prepared in the interlayer spaces of montmorillonite structure. They are characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, magnetic studies, and X-ray diffraction. Both compounds show similarity in their structure and properties with the respective normal complexes of similar composition. These compounds show good thermal stability. The present intercalated compounds might be useful for their nitrogen-immobilizing properties and high-temperature applications.