Intercalation of the layered solid acid HCa2Nb3O10 by organic amines

Layered compounds of formula CnH2n+1NH3Ca2Nb3O10 are formed by reaction of n-alkylamines with the solid acid HCa2Nb3O10. Other organic bases such as pyridine can also be intercalated. The lattice constants of the new compounds have been determined by powder X-ray diffraction. The unit cells are tetragonal with a axes that are unchanged with variation of the intercalated amine. The c axes lengths (layer spacings) vary systematically with the hydrocarbon chain length of the alkylamine.