Effect of FeCl3 and acetone on the structure of Na–montmorillonite studied by Mössbauer and XRD measurements

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy were used to study the effect of FeCl₃ and acetone on the structure of a Na–bentonite. XRD indicated the incorporation of Fe³⁺ ions into the interlayer space since the basal lattice spacing of montmorillonite increased to 1.6 from 1.24 nm after treatment with FeCl₃ dissolved in acetone. Interlayer Na⁺ ions could be exchanged to Fe³⁺. Magnetically split Mössbauer subspectra with internal magnetic fields 41 and 46 T at 74 K, were associated with two main Fe³⁺ microenvironments within the interlayer regions. The resultant Fe–montmorillonite was successfully applied as a catalyst in the preparation of 1,1-diacetates from aromatic aldehydes and acetic acid anhydride.