Synthesis and structural characterization of tris (methacrylato)chromium(III)

A straightforward synthetic route to produce tris(methacrylato)chromium(III), Cr(O₂C(CH₃)C=CH₂)₃, by reacting sodium methacrylate with an aqueous solution of CrCl₃ gave a blue microcrystalline powder, insoluble in most common solvents. Electronic spectroscopy (UV-Vis), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were employed to characterize Cr(O₂C(CH₃)C=CH₂)₃. Morphology and elemental composition of this compound were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), respectively. Spherical particles of approximately 2.5 µm in diameter were obtained. Thermal stability of the product was investigated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The spectroscopic studies revealed that the coordination sphere around the chromium ion corresponds to a chelating bidentate carboxylate-Cr(III) complex. Thermal stability above 350°C, and spherical shape particles of few micrometers in diameter, suggest a potential application of this novel compound as a catalyst in oxidation reactions.