A series of aluminum-containing kanemite (Al-kanemite) samples with several Si/Al molar ratios were synthesized. The Al-kanemite samples were pillared with silica. X-ray diffractograms showed that the layered structure of the Al-kanemite samples was maintained at Si/Al = infinity similar to 10 but was broken at Si/Al = 5, 2.5, and 1. Si-29 MAS NMR spectra of the Al-kanemite samples, except for that of Si/Al = 1, mainly showed peaks of Q(3) sites, which were attributed to Si(OSi)(3)(OH) groups, although peaks assigned to Si(OAl)(OSi)(2)(OH) were also seen. The Al-27 MAS NMR spectra indicated that the Al-kanemite samples had only four-coordinate aluminum atoms. The FTIR spectra of pyridine adsorbed on the pillared At-kanemite derivatives revealed Lewis acid sites on the surface. The nitrogen adsorption isotherms of the derivatives were classified as type I (Langmuir) absorption isotherms. Using the a, method, the specific surface areas of the derivatives were 572-756 m(2) g(-1), and the pore sizes were calculated as 1.25-1.83 nm. The pillared Al-kanemite derivatives had slit-shaped micropore structures. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.