Abstract: A process for preparing a stable pillared layered lattice clay, comprising the steps of preparing a hydrolyzed solution of ferric ion by reacting a solution of a salt of the said metal with a base at temperatures in the range of 22.degree. to 28.degree. C. and aging the solution within said temperature range to develop the hydrolyzed pillaring agent, contacting an aqueous slurry of a layer lattice clay selected from the group consisting of smectites, vermiculite, and flurohectorite, with said hydrolyzed solution, and recovering the intercalated pillared clay product. The resultant pillared clay product has a unit clay cell containing from 6.1 to 9.8 ferric ions per cell, and has a repeating spacing of from about 22 to 28 Angstroms. The product is particularly useful in catalyzing conversion processes such as the well-known Fischer-Tropsch process.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pillared layered lattice clay, comprising the steps of preparing a hydrolyzed solution of chromium ion by reacting a solution of a salt of the said metal with a base at temperatures above 60.degree. C., aging the solution at or above the said temperatures to develop the hydrolyzed pillaring agent, and contacting an aqueous slurry of a smectite, vermiculite, or flurohectorite with the hydrolyzed solution, and recovering the intercalated pillared clay product. The resultant products have unit cells containing from 1.2 to 4.2 chromium ions per cell, and have a repeating spacing of from about 18 to 28 Angstroms. The products are uniquely active catalysts for numerous applications, e.g., in the petrochemical industry.