ABSTRACT
The ability of clay minerals to catalyze each of the four reaction types in the chapter title is described with respect to the conversion of hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbons. The isomerization of hydrocarbons such as α-pinene in the presence of smectites and pillared interlayered clays (PILC) is largely controlled by Brønsted acid sites. Thus, impregnation of Al-PILC with metal nanoparticles would increase Brønsted acidity, catalytic activity, and isomer selectivity. Among the non-hydrocarbons, the isomerization of epoxides together with rearrangement and cis-trans reactions of various compounds has received much attention. The clay-catalyzed dimerization and oligomerization of many organic species are similarly controlled by Brønsted acid sites, involving carbocation intermediates. With transition metal-exchanged and pillared montmorillonites, however, Lewis acid sites may also play a role. The polymerization of organic compounds in the presence of clay minerals may be initiated and catalyzed by either Brønsted or Lewis acid sites. The in situ polymerization of some clay-adsorbed organic monomers can be induced by heating, chemical initiators, or ionizing radiation. Some electro-active polymers such as (cationic) polyaniline, formed in the interlayer space of smectite, show pronounced anisotropic conductivity.
