Effect of clay surface on aldehyde-diol equilibrium

Abstract The effect of clay surface on the equilibrium between aldehyde and diol was examined by using 4-formyl-1-methylpyridin-1-ium chloride (MPy+) as a substrate. MPy+ exists as diol (DHMPy+) and aldehyde (FMPy+) in water and acetonitrile, respectively. It was turned out that FMPy+ was clearly observed in the presence of clay nanosheet even in water. This indicates that clay nanosheet surface acts as unique chemical reaction field, affecting the potential energy surface between FMPy+ and DHMPy+