The intercalation of ions derived from sucemic, glutaric, and adipic acid into layered zinc hydroxide nitrate by ionic exchange reaction is reported. Different reaction conditions are investigated and the materials are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis (simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry) and elemental analysis. The dicarboxylic acids can be grafted to the matrix slab by one carboxylate group and the second hydrated carboxylate group is hanging between the layers. Benzoate ions have also been intercalated by both ionic exchange reaction and stirring in acetonitrile. The two benzoate-intercalated materials exchange the organic moiety by sulfate ions if stirred in magnesium sulfate solution, but the sample obtained by anion exchange also allows the unusual incorporation of neutral magnesium sulfate in addition to free solvated sulfate ion. A schematic arrangement of the intercalated species between the layers is presented. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.