Abstract
The adsorption and reactions of aromatic molecules in the interlayer of transition metal ion (Cu2+, Fe3+, Ru3+)-exchanged montmorillonites have been investigated by resonance Roman spectroscopy, supplemented by visible, ESR and infrared spectroscopy. Aromatic molecules are oxidized by transition metal ions in the interlayer to their cations which are stable enough at room temperature. Monosubstituted benzenes which have low ionization potentials further dimerize to form cation radicals of the 4, 4'-disubstituted biphenyl type, whereas benzene and biphenyl polymerize to form poly-pphenylene cation. Thiophene and 3-methylthiophene also polymerize to form poly-thiophene cations. Adsorbed species of anilines on transition metal ion-exchanged montmorillonites are complicated by the formation of various kinds of polymers, while the formation of benzidine cation is observed in adsorption from dilute aqueous solution or from vapor phase.
