Coordination and inclusion compounds formed by addition of quinoline (Q) or isoquinoline (Iq) to a metal(II) dibenzoylmethanate (Co, Ni, Zn, Cd)

Three isomorphous series of new compounds are reported: complexes [M(DBM)₂Q₂] and [M(DBM)₂Iq₂] (M = M(II) = Co, Ni, Zn, Cd; DBM is C₆H₅COCHCOC₆H₅ ^?) and inclusion compounds [M(DBM)₂Q₂]*Q (M = Co, Zn, Cd). All the compounds comprise a trans configured octahedral complex molecule. Inclusion compounds of modified Zn and Cd DBM complexes are reported for the first time and their inclusion ability is attributed to the trans isomeric state induced by the bulky Q or Iq ligand. The TG measurements indicate the following order of thermal stability of the complexes defined by the strength of the metal–ligand bonds: Ni > Co > Cd > Zn. The inclusion compounds do not follow this trend.     

Thermal decomposition reactions of metal carboxylato complexes in the solid state. I.: Thermographic and differential thermal studies of metal oxalato,malonato and succinato complexes

Thermal investigation of metal carboxylato complexes of the first transition metals, Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) and non-transition metals like Zn(II) and Cd(II) in the solid state has been carried out under non-isothermal conditions in nitrogen atmosphere by simultaneous TG and DTA. TG and DTA curves inferred that the thermal stability of the complex decreased approximately with the increase of the standard potential of the central metal ion. The thermal parameters like activation energy, E_a, enthalpy change, ΔH, and entropy change, ΔS, corresponding to the dehydration and decomposition of the complexes are determined from TG and DTA curves by standard methods. A linear correlation is found between ΔH and ΔS and E_a and ΔS in dehydration and decomposition processes. DTA curves show an irreversible phase transition for Na₂Mn(mal)₂], Na₂[Cu(mal)₂] and Na₂,[Co(suc)₂] complexes. The residual products in these decomposition processes being a mixture of two oxides, of oxide and carbonate or a mixture of two carbonates.     

Thermogravimetric evaluation of decomposition kinetics of metal surfactant complexes

Thermal behavior of various synthesized transition metal surfactant complexes of the type [M(CH₃COO)₄]²⁻[C₁₂H₂₅NH₃ ⁺]₂ where M: Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) has been investigated using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). It was found that pyrolytic decomposition occurs with melting in metal complexes, and that metal oxides remain as final products. The activation energy order obtained, E _Cu > E _Ni > E _Co, could be explained on the basis of size of transition metal ion and metal ligand bond strength. In the course of our investigation on the decomposition of complexes, we carried out a comparative study of different measurement and calculation procedures for the thermal decomposition. A critical examination was made of the kinetic parameters of non-isothermal thermoanalytic rate measurement by means of several methods such as Coats–Redfern (CR), Horowitz–Metzger (HM), van Krevelen (vK), Madhusudanan–Krishnan–Ninan (MKN), and Wanjun–Yuwen–Hen–Cunxin (WYHC). The most appropriate method among these was determined for each decomposition step according to the least-squares linear regression. It was found that the results obtained using CR method differ considerably from HM method, as the former method involves a lot of approximations and is not much reliable. The application of thermoanalytic techniques to the investigation of rate processes has also been discussed.     

Thermal decomposition reactions of metal carboxylato complexes in the solid state: II. Thermographic and differential thermal studies of metal oxalato,malonato and succinato complexes

The thermal investigations of metal carboxylato complexes of the first transition metals, Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) and non transition metals like Zn(II) and Cd(II) in solid state were carried out under non-isothermal condition in nitrogen atmopshere by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA) methods. The results of DTA curves inferred that the thermal stability of the complex decreased approximately with the increase of standard potential of the central metal ion. The thermal parameters like activation energy (E_a¹), enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) corresponding to deaquation, deammoniation and decomposition processes occurred simultaneously or separately were determined from TG and DTA curves by the standard methods. A linear correlation has been found in the plots of ΔH vs. ΔS and E_a¹ vs. ΔS in deaquation, deammoniation and decomposition processes. An irreversible phase transition was noticed for H₂[Mn(suc)₂] and H₂[Co(suc)₂] complexes in DTA curves. The residual pyrolysed products were metal carbonates.     

The decomposition kinetics of [Et4N]2[M(dmit)2] (M = Ni, Pd) in a nitrogen atmosphere using thermogravimetry

Thermal properties and thermal decompositions of [NEt₄]₂[M(dmit)₂] (M = Ni(II), Pd(II), dmit = 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate) have been studied by thermogravimetry (TG). The TG analysis has shown that the complexes are thermally stable up to 460 K and the decomposition of the complexes occurs in three consecutive stages up to 873 K. A thermal stability scale for [M(dmit)₂]ⁿ⁻ anions was based on the thermal properties. Kinetics parameters, such as activation energy, E_a, and kinetic apparent pre-exponential factor, ln A_app, have been calculated from the thermogravimetric data at heating rates of 10, 15, 20 and 25 K/min involving differential (Friedman's equation) and integral (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa's equation) methods.     

Synthesis, spectral and thermal properties of some transition metal(II) complexes with a novel ligand derived from thiobarbituric acid

Four novel metal(II) complexes, Ni(L)₂, Co(L)₂, Cu(L)₂, and Zn(L)₂ (L = 5-(2-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)hydrazono)-1,3-diethyl-2-thioxo-dihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione), were synthesized using the procedure of diazotization, coupling and metallization. Their structures were identified by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, ESI-MS and FT-IR spectra. The effect of different central metal(II) ions on absorption bands of the metal(II) complexes was researched. The thermal properties of the metal(II) complexes were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters, such as activation energy (E*), enthalpy (?H*), entropy (?S*) and free energy of the decomposition (?G*) are calculated from the TG curves applying Coats–Redfern method. The results show that the metal(II) complexes have suitable electronic absorption spectra with blue-violet light absorption at about 350–450 nm, high thermal stability with sharp thermal decomposition thresholds.     

Synthesis,characterization, speciation and biological studies on metal chelates of 1-benzoyl(1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thiourea

Proton-ligand association constants of 1-benzoyl(1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thiourea (BTTU) and its complex formation constants with some bivalent metal ions Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Cu(II), have been determined potentiometrically in 50% EtOH–H₂O and 0.1 M NaNO₃. The complexes formed in solution have a stoichiometry of 1:1 and 1:2 [M:L], where M represents the metal ion and L the BTTU ligand. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters are derived and discussed. The complexes are stabilized by enthalpy changes and the results suggest that complexation is an enthalpy-driven process. The effects of metal ion, ionic radius, electronegativity, and nature of ligand on the formation constants are discussed. The formation constants of the complexes with 3d transition metals follow the order Mn²⁺ < Co²⁺ < Ni²⁺ < Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺. The metal complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, conductance, IR, ¹H NMR, and magnetic measurements. The low magnetic moment of 0.11 BM for the Cu(II) complex is suggestive of dimerization through Cu–Cu interaction. The concentration distribution diagrams of the complexes were evaluated. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened in vitro against some bacteria and fungi.     

Studies on energetic compounds part 37: kinetics of thermal decomposition of perchlorate complexes of some transition metals with ethylenediamine

Five bis(ethylenediamine)metal perchlorate (BEMP) complexes like [M(en)₂](ClO₄)₂ (where M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and en=ethylenediamine) have been prepared and characterized by gravimetric methods, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and elemental analysis. Thermal decomposition studies have been undertaken using simultaneous thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) in nitrogen atmosphere. Non-isothermal TG and DTA studies have also been carried out separately in air to examine the effect of atmosphere on thermolysis of these complexes. Thermal stability of the complexes was found to decrease in the order: [Zn(en)₂](ClO₄)₂>[Mn(en)₂](ClO₄)₂>[Ni(en)₂](ClO₄)₂>[Cu(en)₂](ClO₄)₂>[Co(en)₂](ClO₄)₂.Isothermal TG over the temperature range of decomposition of all these complexes, has been done to evaluate the kinetics of decomposition. Both model fitting and model free isoconversional methods have been used to analyse the kinetics. Isoconversional method has been found to be superior over the conventional model fitting method and is able to describe the complex decomposition of these complexes. It indicates that the values of activation energy vary with the extent of conversion (α) while model fitting method results in a single value of E for overall decomposition process which cannot be attributed to any process under such a complex decomposition reaction. Explosion delay (D_E) measurement has been carried out to investigate the response of these complexes under the condition of rapid heating.     

Thermal stability and sensitivity of RDX-based aluminized explosives

The thermal decomposition characteristics and thermal sensitivity are key indicators for reflecting the thermal stability of explosives in storage and application. The thermal decompositions in different degrees are used to determine the dominant factor which controls the thermal stability of composite explosive. Four kinds of RDX-based aluminized explosives are marked as RA1, RA2, RA3, and RA4 with the Al content increasing from 10 to 40 mass%. The initial thermal decomposition behaviors were studied by DPTA and the complete thermal decompositions were studied by DSC and TG. The thermal sensitivities were characterized by 5-s explosion point. The effects of micron-sized Al particles and their contents on thermal decomposition were investigated. The evolved gas amount (V _i) from DPTA test follows RA3 < RA4 < RA2 < RA1, indicating that RA3 has the best thermal stability at ambient storage conditions. However, according to TG and DSC tests, the characteristic temperatures of thermal decomposition (T _p, T _b, and T _SADT), the thermodynamic parameters (?H _e, ?S ^≠, and ?H ^≠), the kinetic parameters (E _a and A), and the 5-s explosion points all follow RA4 < RA3 < RA2 < RA1. The results indicate that the Al particles play different roles in the different degrees of thermal decomposition. In the initial decomposition, the Al particles have not been activated and are considered as inert materials that hinder the decomposition of explosive. In the complete decomposition, the Al particles catalyze the thermal decomposition, and such catalysis becomes more obvious as the Al content increases to a certain degree.     

Thermal studies and decomposition kinetics of alkaline earth metal trichloroacetates

Alkaline earth metal trichloroacetates M(O₂CCCl₃)₂·nH₂O, where M = Be (1), n = 4; M = Mg (2), n = 6; M = Ca (3) or Sr (4) or Ba (5), n = 4, were synthesized and their thermal behavior analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG/DSC). A critical examination was made for the apparent activation energy by means of non-isothermal kinetic methods employing multiple heating rates. A systematic and comparative study of thermal decomposition was carried out at different heating rates i.e., 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1 for various trichloroacetates synthesized. It was observed that the Ca, Sr, and Ba trichloroacetates decompose preferentially to respective metal halides while Be and Mg compounds decompose to metal and metal oxide, respectively. The composition of the final residues was also confirmed using FT-IR spectroscopy. The activation energy follows the order: Mg > Ca > Sr > Ba, Be being the exception. Results reveal that each metal trichloroacetate decomposes through its unique thermolysis mechanism.     

Lanthanoid metal nitrates with hydrogen bonded hexamethylenetetramine

Cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium nitrate complexes with hydrogen bonded hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) of the formula [Ce(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₅](HMTA)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)₃, [Pr(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₆]₂[Pr(H₂O)₉](HMTA)₆(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₄ and [Nd(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₅](HMTA)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)₃ have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. All the complexes belong to monoclinic crystal system. Ce and Nd complexes have P21/n space group, whereas Pr complex has C2/c. Thermal analyses of these complexes were carried out using TG, DSC, which showed their multi-step decomposition. Kinetics of thermolysis has been done by applying model fitting as well as model free isoconversional method. In order to see the response of rapid heating, ignition delay measurements were carried out. The thermal decomposition pathways have also been demonstrated. On the basis of thermal studies the thermal stability of the complexes was found in the order; Pr > Ce > Nd. In order to identify the end products of thermolyses, X-ray diffraction patterns of end product were carried out which showed the formation of corresponding metal oxides.     

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of carboxylate-bridged trinuclear complexes based on low-spin manganese(III)/iron(III) building blocks

Four linear trinuclear transition metal complexes have been prepared and characterized. The complexes [M^II(MeOH)₄][Fe^III(L)₂]₂·2MeOH (M = Fe (1) or Ni (2)), [Co^II(EtOH)₂(H₂O)₂][Fe^III(L)₂]₂·2EtOH (3), and [Mn^II(phen)₂][Mn^III(L)₂]₂·4MeOH (4) (H₂L = ((2-carboxyphenyl)azo)-benzaldoxime, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) possesses a similar syn–anti carboxylate-bridged structure. The terminal Fe(III) or Mn(III) ions are low spin, and the central M(II) ions are high spin. Magnetic measurements show that antiferromagnetic interactions were present between the adjacent metal ions via the syn–anti carboxylate bridges. The antiferromagnetic coupling between low-spin Fe(III) and Ni(II) is unusual, which has been tentatively assigned to the structural distortion of Fe(III).     

Mixed Ligand Complex Formation of Cetirizine Drug with Bivalent Transition Metal(II) Ions in the Presence of 2-Aminomethylbenzimidazole: Synthesis,Structural, Biological,pH-Metric and Thermodynamic Studies

Mononuclear copper(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes of cetirizine (CTZ = 2-[2-[4-[(4-chlorophenyl)phenyl methyl]-piperazine-1-yl]-ethoxy]acetic acid) in the presence of 2-aminomethyl-benzimidazole·2HCl (AMBI), as a representative example of heterocyclic bases, were synthesized and studied by different physical techniques. All mixed-ligand complexes have been fully characterized with the help of elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations, molar conductance, magnetic moments and spectroscopic data. The formulae of the isolated complexes are [M(AMBI)(CTZ)(NO₃)(H₂O)₂]·nH₂O where AMBI is the neutral bidentate 2-aminomethylbenzimidazole, CTZ the deprotonated cetirizine and n = 1 for Co(II) or 0 for Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes. The measured molar conductance values in DMSO indicate that the complexes are non-electrolytes. The formation equilibria of the ternary complexes have been investigated. Ternary complexes are formed by a simultaneous mechanism. Stoichiometry and stability constants for the complexes formed are reported. The concentration distribution of the complexes in solution was evaluated as a function of pH. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constants and are discussed. The synthesized metal chelates have been screened for their antimicrobial activities against the selected types of Gram-positive (G⁺) and Gram-negative (G^?) bacteria. They were found to be more active against Gram positive than Gram negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity in terms of metal ions obeys this order: Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Co(II).     

Octahedral iron(II) complexes with pyridyl triazine and bipyridine ligands – synthesis,computational studies,mechanisms and kinetics with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′,6,2″-terpyridine

[Bis(3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine)(2,2′-bipyridine)iron(II)], [Fe(PDT)₂(bpy)]²⁺ (1), [bis(3-(4-phenyl-2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine)(2,2′-bipyridine)iron(II)], [Fe(PPDT)₂(bpy)]²⁺ (2), [bis(2,2′-bipyridine)(3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine)iron(II)], [Fe(PDT)(bpy)₂]²⁺ (3), and [bis(2,2′-bipyridine)(3-(4-phenyl-2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine)iron(II)], [Fe(PPDT)(bpy)₂]²⁺ (4) have been synthesized and characterized. Substitution of the triazine and bipyridine ligands from the complexes by nucleophiles (nu), namely 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,2′,6,2″-terpyridine (terpy) was studied in a sodium acetate-acetic acid buffer over the pH range 3–6 at 25, 35, and 45°C under pseudo-first order conditions. Reactions are first order in the concentration of complexes 1–4. The reaction rates increase with increasing [nu] and pH whereas ionic strength has no effect on the rate. Straight-line plots with positive slopes are observed when the k_obs values are plotted against [nu] or 1/[H⁺]. The substitution reactions proceed by dissociative as well as associative paths and the latter path is predominant. Observed low E_a values and negative ΔS^# values support the dominance of the associative path. Phenyl groups on the triazine ring modulate the reactivity of the complexes. The π-electron cloud on the phenyl rings stabilizes the charge on metal center by inductive donation of electrons toward the metal center, resulting in a decrease in reactivity of the complex and the order is 1 < 2 < 3 < 4. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations also support the interpretations drawn from the kinetic data.     

Synthesis,structural, spectroscopic,biological and catalytic activity of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of benzilic hydrazide (BH)

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) chloro complexes of benzilic hydrazide (BH) have been synthesized. Also, reaction of the ligand (BH) with several copper(II) salts, including NO₃ ^?, AcO^?, and SO₄ ^? afforded metal complexes of the general formula [CuLX(H₂O) _n ]·nH₂O, where X is the anion and n = 0, 1 or 2. The newly synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra, molar conductance, UV–vis, IR spectra, magnetic moment, and thermal analysis (TG/DTG). The physico-chemical studies support that the ligand acts as monobasic bidentate towards metal ion through the carbonyl and hydroxyl oxygen atoms. The spectral data revealed that the geometrical structure of the complexes is square planar for Cu (II) complexes and tetrahedral for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes. Structural parameters of the ligand and its complexes have been calculated. The ligand and its metal complexes are screened for their antimicrobial activity. The catalytic activities of the metal chelates have been studied towards the oxidative decolorization of AB25, IC and AB92 dyes using H₂O₂. The catalytic activity is strongly dependent on the type of the metal ion and the anion of Cu(II) complexes.     

Synthesis,characterization, DFT modeling and biological studies of new Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) 4,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2-amino-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbinitrile complexes

Three new metal complexes of 4,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2-amino-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbinitrile (L) with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) were synthesized and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The data suggest that (L) acts as a bidentate ligand bound to the divalent metal ions through amino N and carbinitrile N atoms having [M(L)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ formula (M = metal ions). The theoretical parameters, model structures, charges and molecular orbitals of all possible complexes have been determined using density functional theory. The energy gap of free ligand is ?E = 0.12565 eV, and this value is greater than energy gap of complexes, which indicates that the complexes are more reactive than free ligand. Also, ?E of Co(II) complex is lower than other complexes, which indicates that Co(II) complex is more reactive than Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the ligand, metal salts and its complexes were tested against some microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). The complexes showed increased antibacterial and antifungal profile in comparison with the free ligand.     

Trimellitate complexes of divalent transition metals with hydrazinium cation

New dihydrazinium divalent transition metal trimellitate hydrates of empirical formula (N₂H₅)₂M(Html)₂·nH₂O, where n = 1 for M = Co or Ni, and n = 2 for M = Mn, Zn, or Cd (H₃tml = trimellitic acid), and monohydrazinium cadmium trimellitate, [(N₂H₅)Cd(Html)_1.5·2H₂O] have been prepared and characterized by physico-chemical methods. Electronic spectroscopic, and magnetic moment data suggest that Co and Ni complexes adopt an octahedral geometry. The IR spectra confirm the presence of monodentate carboxylate anion (Δν = ν_asy(COO^?) ? ν_sym(COO^?) > 190 cm^?1) and coordinated N₂H₅ ⁺ ion (ν_N–N 1015 ? 990 cm^?1) in all the complexes. All the complexes undergo endothermic decomposition eliminating CO₂ in the temperature region 200–250 °C, followed by exothermic decomposition (in the range of 500–570 °C) of organic moiety to give the respective metal carbonate as the end products except nickel and cobalt complexes, which leave respective metal oxides. X-ray powder diffraction patterns reveal that Ni and Co complexes are isomorphous as are those of, Zn(II) and Cd(II) of the type, (N₂H₅)₂M(Html)₂·2H₂O.     

Spectroscopic validation and biological screening of new iron(III) complexes with N,O donor ligands

Monometallic trivalent complexes of iron were synthesized by reaction between N, O type donor ligands (L) or (L′) and metal salt in a 1:2 (metal:ligand) molar ratio. Structure and composition of metal complexes were evaluated by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic moment measurements, and various spectroscopic studies viz. FTIR, UV–visible, and ESI–MS. Analytical and molar conductance data are consistent with the formulation of complexes as [Fe(L)₂X₂]·X and [Fe(L′)₂X₂]·X (where; L = Hydrazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester, L′ = Hydrazine carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and X = Cl^?, Br^? or NO₃ ^?) due to their 1:1 electrolytic nature. IR spectral data revealed bi-dentate coordination behavior of ligands. An octahedral geometry may be assigned for metal complexes on the basis of electronic absorption data and magnetic moment parameters. The compounds were evaluated for their biological activity by in vitro antimicrobial screening against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi and fungi Candida parapsilosis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicate that metal complexes exhibit more activity than free ligands against studied microbes.     

Effects of the working conditions on the values of the kinetic parameters of the thermal decompositions of some complexes

The kinetic parametersn, A andE (the order of the decomposition reaction, the pre-exponential factor and the activation energy of the thermal decompositions) of some complexes of general formula [MCl₂(GTD)₂]Cl, where GTD=Girard T-diacetylmonoxime cation andM=central metal ion=Mn(II), Fe(III) and Co(II), were calculated through their TG curves. The effects of working conditions such as the sample weight and the rate of heating on the evaluated kinetic parameters are discussed.     

Chemical and electrochemical behavior of metallic technetium in acidic media

The chemical and electrochemical properties of technetium metal were studied in 1–6 M HX and in 1 M NaX (pH 1 and 2.5), X = Cl, NO₃. The chemical dissolution rates of Tc metal were higher in HNO₃ than in HCl (i.e. 8.63 × 10^?5 mol cm^?2 h^?1 in 6 M HNO₃ versus 2.05 × 10^?9 mol cm^?2 h^?1 in 6 M HCl). The electrochemical dissolution rates in HNO₃ and HCl were similar and mainly depended on the electrochemical potential and the acid concentration. The optimum dissolution of Tc metal was obtained in 1 M HNO₃ at 1 V/AgAgCl (1.70 × 10^?3 mol cm^?2 h^?1). The dissolution potentials of Tc metal in nitric acid were in the range of 0.596–0.832 V/AgAgCl. Comparison of Tc behavior with Mo and Ru indicated that in HNO₃, the dissolution rate followed the order: Mo > Tc > Ru, and for dissolution potential the order: E _diss(Ru) > E _diss(Tc) > E _diss(Mo). The corrosion products of Tc metal were analyzed in HCl solution by UV–Visible spectroscopy and showed the presence of TcO₄ ^?. The surface of the electrode was characterized by microscopic techniques; it indicated that Tc metal preferentially corroded at the scratches formed during the polishing and no oxide layer was observed.