Friedel-Crafts benzylation of benzene using Zn and Cd ions exchanged clay composites

Metal ion-exchanged clay composites such as MII-Mont and MII-Mont (AT) where M = Zn and Cd, Mont = montmorillonite clay of the types Mont1 (SWy-2) and Mont2 (Neelkanth), and AT = acid treated have been synthesized, characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and evaluated as catalysts for Friedel-Crafts reaction particularly for benzylation of benzene.