Abstract: The synthesis of hectorite by hydrothermal crystallization is introduced at first, followed by summarizing the current situation of experimental means, adsorption mechanisms as well as behavior of reactions with regard to hectorite modified by organic compounds. The modification is performed mainly by the in-situ method and adsorption method. For the former, many organic compounds play the role of template in the process of crystallization, and microcrystals gradually gather and age in spherical networks. For the latter, organic cations are integrated with hectorite by means of ion exchange and partition. The modes of non-ionic organic substances compounded with hectorite involve physical adsorption, partition, hydrogen bond and so on. After modification by organic compounds, the properties of hectorite, such as adsorption abilities, dispersivity and specific surface are improved. This technique is rapidly developing towards preparation of functional supra-molecular materials.