Synthesis of a Low-Carbonate High-Charge Hydrotalcite-like Compound at Ambient Pressure and Atmosphere

Hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTLCs) having low (<5%) carbonate content and high (XAl > 0.33) layer charge can be synthesized under ambient pressure and atmosphere. This new approach uses terephthalate anions and manipulation of suspension pH to increase the substitution of Al for Mg in the octahedral sheet. Unit-cell dimensions vary linearly with XAl. The surprisingly labile nature of the octahedral sheet suggests new possibilities for the synthesis of materials with layered hydroxide and oxide structures.