The adsorption of p-chlorophenol (p-CP) and p-nitrophenol (p-NP) on organophilic bentonite (dodecylammonium bentonite, DDAB) was studied as a function of solution concentration and temperature. The observed adsorption rates were found to be equal to the first-order kinetics. The rate constants were calculated for temperatures ranging between 25.0-35.0 degreesC at constant concentration. The adsorption energies, E and adsorption capacity, (q(m)), for phenolic compounds adsorbed to organophilic bentonite were estimated by using the Dubinin-Radushkevic equation. Thermodynamic parameters from the adsorption isotherms of p-CP and p-NP on organophilic bentonite were determined. These isotherms were modeled according to Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevic adsorption isotherms and followed the V-shaped isotherm category with two steps. The amount of adsorption was found to be dependent on the relative energies of adsorbent-adsorbate, adsorbate-solvent and adsorbate-adsorbate interaction. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.