Phyllogenic minerals expanded with luminescent propping molecules can be used to prepare photosensitive thin films in which complex energy transfer processes can be envisioned. In this communication, we report the preparation of stable linear chain polymers and lamellar assemblies of thionine by intercalation in layered tetravalent metal salts formulated as M(IV)(HPO4)(2) . H2O with M = Sn and Zr. A.c. conductivity measurements of the intercalation compounds were carried out by impedance methods. All samples display low activation energies (similar to 0.3 eV), probably due to pi interactions between the aromatic thionine rings.