Synthesis and Characterization of Tantalum Pillared Montmorillonite.

The preparation of tantalum pillared montmorillonite, resulting in a basal spacing of 26 Angstrom at 500 degrees C, is described; dehydration of butan-1-ol results in a 100% selectivity to butene with no detectable formation of butylaldehyde or dibutyl ether.