Abstract
AbstractThe transfer of protons from a protonated species to an uncharged molecule at the surface of clay minerals is an important process. NH+4, pyridinium, ethylammonium, methylammonium, and protonated‐urea montmorillonite and nontronite complexes were equilibrated over NH4OH, pyridine, methylamine, or with 3‐aminotriazole, and the status of the adsorbed molecule determined using infrared spectroscopy. Proton transfer or retention by a species depends on two factors: (i) the relative basicities of the two interacting compounds and (ii) the relative concentration or activities of the reactants and products. Indications were that the clay mineral altered the basicity of some compounds compared to the others. The relative order of basicity of the compounds studied here were found to be 3‐aminotriazole > ammonia > methylamine = ethyamine > pyridine > urea. Such proton transfer reactions as have been demonstrated here to occur in model clay‐organic complexes are undoubtedly processes of importance in natural systems.
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