The cis-trans Isomerization of Azobenzene in the Molten State: A useful test reaction for the kinetic evaluation of DSC measurements

Contrary to the situation in the field of temperature, heat and heat flow rate calibration, so far no generally accepted and easily practicable chemical reaction exists with regard to a kinetic evaluation. A possible reaction would be the well-known first-order cis-trans isomerization of subcooled liquid azobenzene. Surprisingly, the evaluation of measurements performed with a power compensated calorimeter yields activation parameters, which are dependent on the heating rate. The desmearing of the curves does not produce any improvements. However, constant activation parameters are obtained, if a small self-heating of the sample during the exothermic reaction is taken into account.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.