This paper presents the results of the functionalization of Brazilian Sao Simao kaolinite with pyridine-2-carboxylic and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acids. The functionalization involved refluxing of the pyridinecarboxylic acid in the presence of kaolinite previously intercalated with dimethyl sulfoxide; both acids effectively displaced dimethyl sulfoxide from the clay interlayer. The resulting materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and C and N elemental analysis. The X-ray diffractograms revealed the incorporation of the acid molecules into the interlayer space of kaolinite. The thermogravimetric curves of the kaolinite samples functionalized with the pyridine-carboxylic acids indicated that the materials were thermally stable up to 300 degrees C. The displacements of the bands due to interlayer hydroxyls in the infrared absorption spectra also confirmed the functionalization of the kaolinite with the pyridine-carboxylic acids. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.