Chemistry of [Ru3O2(NH3)14]Cl6 (ruthenium red) intercalated in a smectite clay: thermal behaviour, reactivity with CO and CO/H2, catalytic activity

The trimeric ruthenium amino cation ruthenium red was readily and quantitatively exchanged in a sodium bentonite. The multiply-charged ruthenium ions act as crosslinking molecular rods and induce a clay layer separation of ≈ 5 Å. The chemical modification of the intercalated species by thermal treatment was studied by IR and UV spectroscopy. The modification of the clay spacing was monitored by X-ray diffraction and surface area measurements. The catalytic activity of the clay for the vapour phase CO hydrogenation and hydroformylation of ethylene and propene was tested in a flow reactor at atmospheric pressure. © 1991.