Cobalt(II) phthalocyaninetetrasulfonate supported on poly-N-alkyl-4-vinyl pyridinium/montmorillonite intercalates were prepared and used as catalysts for the oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol in aqueous medium. Cobalt(II) phthalocyaninetetrasulfonate supported on polymer-clay intercalates (5-8) showed good catalytic activity in the autoxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol to disulfide. The rate of reaction was found to fit a Michaelis-Menten kinetic model for saturation of catalyst sites with increasing thiol concentration. Recycling of the catalyst CoPcTS/clay-polymer system 6 showed good stability up to three consecutive runs and then the reactivity declined by the fourth run. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.