New Separation Science Using Shape-Selective Ion Exchange Intercalation Chemistry

The ability to tailor the intercalation preferences of porous solids would have important applications in sensing, separations, and catalysis. Shape-selective intercalation is reported here for a crystalline-ordered, layered double hydroxide, whose preference for the intercalation of 1,5- or 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate (shown in the Figure) can be controlled and even reversed by altering the temperature and the solvent of the intercalation reaction.