Intercalates of Vanadyl Phosphate with Dinitriles

Intercalates of vanadyl phosphate with aliphatic dinitriles (malononitrile, succinonitrile, glutaronitrile, adiponitrile, pimelonitrile and suberonitrile) were prepared and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, IR and Raman spectroscopies. The basal spacings of all the intercalates prepared are practically identical. The dinitrile content in the intercalates decreases with increasing chain length. The dinitrile molecules are anchored to the host layers by an N–V donor–acceptor bond and their aliphatic chains are parallel to the host layers. The dinitrile intercalates are generally more stable in air (at relative humidity 40–50%) than nitrile intercalates and the guest molecules are slowly replaced by the water molecules.