Hexagonal ordering of racemic Ni(II) complexes in the interlayer space of a clay mineral.

The molecular arrangement of racemic [Ni(phen)3]2+ complexes in the interlayer space of montmorillonite was investigated using X-ray diffraction measurements. When the amount of the adsorbed complexes exceeded the cation exchange capacity, they were found to form a double-molecular layer with the 2D hexagonal arrangement in the interlayer space.