Role of preparation method on the extent of montmorillonite catalysis for oligomer formation

The extent of catalytic activity of montmorillonites (Mts)1 for RNA-like oligomer synthesis varies considerably depending on the method used to prepare the Mt. Homoionic Mt prepared by titration method produced longer oligomers with higher yields compared with Mt prepared by saturation method. The difference in catalytic activity between these two types of Mts is related to the difference in nature of their edge sites.