Concomitant Intercalation and Decomplexation of Ferrocene Sulfonates in Layered Double Hydroxides

In the [Zn–Cr–Cl] lamellar double hydroxide corresponding to the chemical formula [Zn2+2Cr3+(OH-)6] [Cl-, 2H2O], chlorine anions can be easily exchanged by various moieties. For example, it is possible to replace Cl-ions with ferrocene mono- and disulfonate salts in the interlamellar space. In a second step, these organic molecules can be removed by carbonate ions. XPS, EXAFS, M?ssbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements show that during this last exchange ferrocene sulfonates are de-complexed, liberating Fe3+ions which then would be introduced into the hydroxide layers. The main consequence is a modification of magnetic properties.