Using a sodium bentonite (VCNa) as substrate differently exchanged organophilic clays were obtained by reaction with hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) chloride, at increasing reacting ratios (R) from 20 to 120 meq/100 g of clay (VC20-VC120). The sodium bentonite was previously synthesized from a Verde Claro policationic bentonite (VC) from Bravo, Paraiba State, Brazil. From the thermogravimetric (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) analyses of these clays on calcined mass basis and from TG and DTG curves data of VCNa clay, a method was developed to estimate the mass fraction of the exchanged cation present in each organophilic clay (M (org)), as a function of R. When all sodium cations of VCNa are exchanged by HDTMA, the obtained organophilic clay presents a maximum value for M (org). From this value and TG and DTG curves data of VC and VCNa clays, the cation exchange capacity of the original VC bentonite can be estimated.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)