A low-charge Na-montmorillonite (SWy-2) was exchanged with hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium (HDTMA) at levels equal to 20, 40, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150 and 200% of the cation exchange capacity (819 mmol(+)/kg) to determine the nature of adsorption and the ionic composition of the clay interlayers. In contrast with earlier work with smaller aliphatic cations, which suggested random interstratification of interlayers occupied by either organic or metallic cations, there was no evidence of cation segregation into homogeneous interlayers. Instead, X-ray analysis indicated that the organic cations assumed two dominant configurations which were roughly equivalent in prevalence at ∼70% coverage of the CEC. Below 70% exchange the organocations existed predominantly in heterogeneous monolayers with Na+, attaining basal spacings of between 1.41 and 1.44 nm which were sensitive to changes in relative humidity. Relative humidity effects indicated that Na+ and HDTMA occupied functionally discrete domains within the interlayer as shown by the free interaction of water and a neutral organic solute, naphthalene, with Na+ and HDTMA, respectively. At greater levels of HDTMA exchange (up to 100% of the CEC), the organocations assumed a predominantly bilayer configuration. Transition to a fully-developed bilayer indicated by a 1.77 nm d-spacing at 100% coverage was gradual, suggesting some interstratification of the monolayers and bilayer configurations between 70 and 100% exchange. Sorption of naphthalene to the organoclays within this range of coverage was well correlated with clay organic carbon content, consistent with relatively unimpeded interlayer access of neutral organic molecules.