Montmorillonite-Asulam interactions: II. Catalytic decomposition of Asulam adsorbed on Mg-, Ba-, Ca-, Li-, Na-, K- and Cs-clay

Asulam (p-aminobenzenesulphonylmethylcarbamate) is adsorbed by alkaline and alkaline-earth cation saturated montmorillonites at room temperature either by protonation or by physical forces. On heating it decomposes to different products depending on the polarizing power of the exchange cation. On Mg–clay, sulphanilic and carbamic acid are obtained; the latter decomposes after equilibration at 100% relative humidity. In Ba– and Ca–systems, sulphanilamide and sulphanilic acid are produced with minor amounts of p–aminobenzenesulphonylcarbamate anion. Sulphanilamide is the main decomposition product in Na–, K–and Cs–systems. On Li–clay, decomposition of the Asulam results in the formation of p–aminobenzenesulphonylcarbamate anion and p–aminobenzenesulphonylcarbamic acid, probably as a consequence of the intermediate polarizing power of this cation.