Cadmium(II)bis(oxalato)cobaltate(II)- pentahydrate

A mixed metal carboxylate, cadmium(II)bis(oxalato)cobaltate(II)pentahydrate, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectral, reflectance and X-ray powder diffraction studies. Thermal decomposition studies (TG, DTG and DTA) in air showed that the compound decomposed to CdCoO3 at 370°C through the formation of an anhydrous compound at ~194°C. Finally, CdCoO2 is generated at 1000°C. DSC study in nitrogen up to 550°C showed the formation of a mixture of CdO and Co3O4 as end products. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated for the dehydration and decomposition steps using four non-mechanistic equations, i.e., Freeman and Carroll, Coats and Redfern, Flynn and Wall, MacCallum and Tanner equations. Using seven mechanistic equations, the rate controlling processes of the dehydration and decomposition mechanism are also inferred. The kinetic parameters, DH and DS obtained from DSC are discussed. IR and X-ray powder diffraction studies identified some of the decomposition products. A tentative mechanism for the decomposition in air is proposed.