Montmorillonite-supported iron(III) nitrate and copper(II) nitrate reagents, and other
supported metal nitrates prepared in the same way, were investigated by thermal and
X-ray powder diffraction methods. The metal nitrates are present on the support in
the form of crystalline hydrate and not as acetone solvate as supposed earlier. Thermal
decomposition of metal nitrates that are active in model reactions proceeds in a different
way from that of the practically inactive nitrates. In the former case, water release
and nitrate decomposition itself are simultaneous process. These and other results
contributed to determination of suitable reaction conditions for the montmorillonite-supported
reagents.
