Abstract: Processes for removing noxious sulfur oxides from gas streams, particularly from flue gases of coal-burning power plants, using heated layered double hydroxide (LDH) sorbents are described. The sorbent compositions contain metal components, incorporated into the sorbents either by isomorphous replacement of all or part of M.sup.II and/or M.sup.III ions in layers of LDH structures or by impregnation as a metal salt, to promote the oxidation of sulfur dioxide.

Abstract: A process of removing noxious sulfur oxides from gas streams using heated layered double hydroxide (LDH) sorbents is described. The sorbent compositions contain metal components incorporated into the galleries of the LDH structures in the form of metal-containing oxo-anions, to promote the oxidation of sulfur dioxide.

Abstract: In a method of carrying out organic conversions via heterogeneous phase transfer catalysis by contacting immiscible liquid phases containing respective substances capable of interacting, with a solid catalyst to promote the transfer of reactive species from one liquid phase to another, the improvement comprises employing as catalyst a cation exchanged form of a 2:1 layered silicate clay with layer charge densities in the range of above 0.4 to 2.0 containing an onium ion containing one or more alkyl hydrocarbon chains and maintaining the materials in emulsified form by having a sufficient chain length of an alkyl group relative to the charge density of the clay.

Abstract: This disclosure describes the synthesis of layered double hydroxide compositions interlayered by polyoxometalate anions with Keggin-type structures and having the formula [M.sub.1-x.sup.ll M.sub.x.sup.lll (OH).sub.2 ]A.sub.x/n.sup.n-.yH.sub.2 O, wherein, M.sup.ll is a divalent metal and M.sup.lll is a trivalent metal, A is an anionic polyoxometalate of negative charge n, x range between 0.12 to 0.8, and y is a positive number. The products exhibit well-defined XRD peaks corresponding to uniformly crystalline layered products with basal spacing values.gtoreq.14 .ANG..

Abstract: Dried compositions of inorganic metal oxide and clay particles wherein the oxide particles are substantially segregated from each other by the clay particles are described. The compositions have a high surface area and are useful for catalytic gaseous reactions and removal of impurities from gas.

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.

Abstract: Delaminated trioctahedral smectite clay compositions are provided having a substantially delaminated interlayer structure with a face-to-edge and edge-to-edge association of the clay layers and an inorganic metal oxide intercalated between the clay layers. A process for preparing delaminated smectite clay compositions comprises reacting an admixture of a trioctahedral smectite clay having an average particle size up to about 500 angstroms and a polymeric cationic hydroxy metal complex in an aqueous medium and recovering the reacted clay solids.

Abstract: Imogolite-2:1 layered silicate clay complex comprising imogolite tubes intercalated between the layers of the host clay.

Abstract: Immobilized enzymes are prepared by reacting an enzyme to be immobilized with an organoclay. The immobilized enzymes are enzyme-organoclay complexes in which the binding is substantially pH independent.

Abstract: A clay composition comprising silica intercalated between the interlayers of the clay.