Preparation and characterization of silylated-magadiites

Organic modification of a layered silicate, magadiite (the ideal formula is Na₂Si₁₄O₂₉ · nH₂O), was conducted by the reaction between the interlayer hydroxyl groups of magadiite and organochlorosilanes (trimethylchrolosilane triethylchlorosilane, triisopropylchlorosilane, butyldimethylchlorosilane, octyldimethylchlorosilane, and octadecyldimethylchlorosilane). By utilizing the dodecyltrimethylammonium-exchanged magadiite as the intermediate, bulky organosilyl groups have successfully been introduced into the interlayer space of magadiite. The silylation of the interlayer silanol groups of layered silicates may lead to novel functional inorganic-organic supramolecular systems alternative to the intercalation compounds formed by ion exchange reactions.