Synthesis of a functionalized sheet silicate derived from apophyllite and further modification by hydrosilylation

The single-layer sheet silicate apophyllite was modified with organic silyl groups that resulted in a product with pendent Si–H functionality on both sides of the silicate surface. This modified silicate material was then further derivatized by hydrosilylation with Karstedtʹs catalyst and alkenes to append larger organic groups, including an alkylglucoside. These modified silicate sheets were investigated by infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction for the presence of covalently attached functional groups and the resulting change in interlayer spacings.