Abstract
Isocitric acid oxidative decarboxylation was realized in the absence and in the presence of homoionic Na+-, Mn2+-, and Cu2+-montmorillonite. The catalytic activity of the clay depends upon the nature of the interlayer exchangeable cation. Isocitric acid is transformed into α-ketoglutaric acid under the action of the clay mineral saturated with Na+ cations which do not form a complex with the isocitrate anion. Nevertheless, the reaction rate is very much lower than in the presence of the enzymatic system (isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate coenzyme). The reaction mechanism in the presence of clay is given showing the different steps of the transformation.