Promoting effect of cerium on the characteristic and catalytic activity of Al, Zr, and Al–Zr pillared clay

A series of pillared interlayered clays (PILCs) including Al-, Zr- and Al–Zr-PILC have been prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, N2 adsorption, cationic exchange capacity and IR measurements after n-butylamine adsorption. Cerium introduced in the Zr4 + and/or Al3 + intercalated solution allows for an improvement of the stability and crystallinity of PILC and creates pillared clays with new properties. The resulting materials were used for the synthesis of 1,3-dioxolane. The addition of cerium has a major influence in this reaction.