Synthesis of the Benzoate Intercalated Layered Double ­Hydroxide of Nickel and Aluminum: Application of Mering's Rule

Homogeneous precipitation from a mixed metal nitrate solution using benzamide as a hydrolysis agent results in the formation of a benzoate‐intercalated layered double hydroxide of nickel and aluminum with a basal spacing of 15.6 Å. The alternation in the line widths of the basal reflections has been shown to arise by the random interstratification of a 8.8 Å phase with an altered orientation of the benzoate ions. This work is an illustration of the application of Mering's rules to model disorder in layered double hydroxides.