Synthesis of magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide intercalated with ethylene glycol by the aid of alkoxides

•Ethylene glycol intercalated Mg–Al LDH was synthesized under mild conditions.•Alkoxides promote deprotonation of ethylene glycol and facilitate the synthesis.•Tert-butoxide shows remarkable promotion effect.

Ethylene glycol (EG) intercalated magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) was synthesized via ion exchange method under mild conditions by the aid of alkoxides. Nitrate LDH and EG were used as precursor and solvent, respectively, and alkoxides including sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide and potassium tert-butoxide were used to facilitate the deprotonation of EG. It is found that potassium tert-butoxide shows superior promotion effect due to its strong ability to capture proton. The effects of synthesis temperature and time on EG intercalated LDH were investigated. EG intercalated LDH can be synthesized at 80 °C for 12 h or at 120 °C for 6 h. The characterization results of XRD, TG–DSC, FT-IR, elemental analysis, 13C NMR and Hammett indicator and benzene carboxylic acid titration confirm the successful intercalation of EG in LDH.

Graphical abstractMagnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated with ethylene glycol (EG) was successfully synthesized under mild conditions by the aid of alkoxides. Due to its strong ability of capturing proton from EG, tert-butoxide promotes NO3− exchanged by EG anions effectively. In the interlayer space, EG anions are accommodated in a tilted bilayer arrangement.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide