Pillared clay mimics from dicarboxylic acids and flexible diamines

Three dicarboxylic acids - 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid, 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and isophthalic acid - are examined for their ability to participate in lamellar hydrogen-bonded networks upon reaction with alkyl diamines. The use of flexible diamines stems from a desire to mimic the structure and eventually the intercalative abilities of naturally occurring clays. Six structures are reported, with the carbon chain length varying from 3 to 12, and the relative ability of each of the diacids (in combination with flexible diamines) to construct clay-like materials is discussed.