Thermal properties of potassium bis(oxalato)diaquochromates(III) in solid state. Trans–cis isomerization of the [Cr(C2O4)2(OH2)2]? complex ion in aqueous solutions

The thermal decomposition of trans-K[Cr(C₂O₄)₂(OH₂)₂]·3H₂O and cis-K[Cr(C₂O₄)₂(OH₂)₂] has been studied using the TG–MS technique. The measurements were carried out in an argon atmosphere over the temperature range of 293–873 K. The influence of the complex structures and configurational geometry on the stability of the transition products and the pathways of thermal transformations has been discussed. Furthermore, the kinetics of the isomerization reactions of the [Cr(C₂O₄)₂(OH₂)₂]⁻ complex ion catalyzed by five different metal ions: Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ have been studied. The isomerization reactions were studied in aqueous solution at five various temperatures (283–303 K), at constant concentration of metal ions (C = 0.1 M) and the constant ionic strength of solution (Na⁺, NO₃ ⁻) I = 2.4 M. The rates of the isomerization reaction were determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring of absorbance changes at 410 nm.