083ChemInform Abstract Hectorite, a Li-Mg smectite, is exchanged to the sodium form, then reacted with CoCl2 solution and finally treated with 2,2'-bipyridyl in ethanol. (Co(bipy)3)3+/hectorite thus obtained is reduced either electrochemically (flocculated onto the surface of a Pt electrode) or chemically with NaBH4. The (Co(bipy)3)+/hectorite generated by NaBH4 reduces nitrobenzene either with or without NaBH4 presentto aniline (100% conversion in the presence of NaBH4).