Montmorillonite-asulam interactions: I. Catalytic decomposition of asulam adsorbed on H- and Al-Clay

Abstract

Abstract The adsorption of the Asulam herbicide (4-aminobenzensulphonyl-methyl-carbamate) by Al- and H-montmorillonite has been studied by IR spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography and chemical analysis. This compound is adsorbed from CCl 4 solution at room temperature through protonation of the NH 2 functional group by the ‘acidic’ water coordinated to the interlayer cation of the clay. After heating the complex at 75°C for 20 h, a hydrogen-bond between the C=O group of the Asulam and the water is established and the organic molecule decomposes to sulphanilic and carbamic acids. If the complex is equilibrated at 100% relative humidity, the carbamic acid becomes unstable, and the IR spectrum shows only the bands typical of the acidic montmorillonite-sulphanilic acid complex. The catalytic properties of the clay surface are demonstrated by comparison with the transformations occuring in the organic molecule on heating in concentrated mineral acids.