Abstract: The invention is a base-modified clay that selectively catalyzes the formation of a glycol monoester from an aldehyde. The base-modified clay comprises a clay having secluded conjugate base sites and exchangeable interstitial cationic spaces. In the base-modified clay, the interstitial hydroxyl groups have been converted to oxide sites, at least one structural hydroxyl group has been converted to an oxide site. The base-modified clay contains sufficient conjugate base cations to balance charge of said oxide groups. Processes for preparing the base-modified clay are described. The invention also provides a process for preparing a glycol monoester. This process includes heating in a reaction vessel an aldehyde and a catalytic amount of the base-modified clay under conditions sufficient to produce a glycol monoester.

Abstract: The invention is a base-modified clay that selectively catalyzes the formation of a glycol monoester from an aldehyde. The base-modified clay comprises a clay having secluded conjugate base sites and exchangeable interstitial cationic spaces. In the base-modified clay, the interstitial hydroxyl groups have been converted to oxide sites, at least one structural hydroxyl group has been converted to an oxide site. The base-modified clay contains sufficient conjugate base cations to balance the charge of said oxide groups. Processes for preparing the base-modified clay are described. The invention also provides a process for preparing a glycol monoester. This process includes heating in a reaction vessel an aldehyde and a catalytic amount of the base-modified clay under conditions sufficient to produce a glycol monoester.