Preparation, alumina-pillaring and oxidation catalytic performances of synthetic Ni-saponite

Synthetic saponite containing Ni2+ as octahedral cations has been prepared by a simple hydrothermal procedure, and has been intercalated with Al13-polycations. The catalytic performance of the pillared solids in the epoxidation of (Z)-cyclooctene and the oxidation of cyclohexanone in the presence of benzonitrile, Baeyer–Villiger reaction, using hydrogen peroxide (70%) as a clean oxidant have been studied. For comparison, Mg-saponite was synthesized under the same conditions and tested for the same reaction.