Preparation and characterization of Mg–Al/Zn–Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with (+)-2,3-di(p-toluyl)-tartaric acid

The intercalations of (+)-2,3-di(p-toluyl)-tartaric acid (DTTA) into three kinds of layered double hydroxides, such as Mg–Al–CO3–LDH, Zn–Al–CO3–LDH and Zn–Al–NO3–LDH, have been prepared by ion-exchange. The solids have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC/TG analyses and Elemental chemical analyses. The results show that the original interlayer inorganic ions can be replaced by the organic anions under the controlled conditions. After the intercalation of DTTA, the gallery heights range between 1.32 and 1.60 nm. FT-IR and DSC/TG curves reveal the presence of a complex system of supramolecular host–guest interaction and the increase of thermal stability of materials. The molecules of DTTA may stay in the layers in a bilayer with the carboxylate groups pointing towards the LDHs layers, the two planes associated with aromatic ring are parallel to each other and the orbits of bonds overlap partly, forming two big off-region Π bonds.