Thermal decomposition of rare earth element enanthates

The conditions of formation of Y, La and lanthanide (from Ce(III) to Lu) enanthates were worked out, their composition and their solubilities in water at 291 K were determined, and the conditions of their thermal decomposition were studied. They were prepared as crystalline solids with general formula Ln(C₇H₁₃O₂)₃·nH₂O, wheren=2–10. On heating, they decompose in two or three steps. They first lose some water molecules and then decompose to the oxides directly (salts of Y and heavy lanthanides) or via the intermediate formation of Ln₂O₂CO₃ (salts of La, Pr, Nd, Sm and Eu). Only yttrium enanthate dihydrate loses 2 water molecules on heating to form an anhydrous complex, which decomposes directly to Y₂O₃. The temperatures of dehydration are similar for all complexes (323–343 K), while the temperatures of oxide formation vary irregularly from 823 K for CeO₂ to 1078 K for La₂O₃.