On the nature of isomerism in oxalatecopper(II) diammine thermal decomposition of α-, β-, and γ-Cu(C2O4)(NH3)2

The mechanisms of the thermal decompositions of various isomers of Cu(C₂O₄)-(NH₃)₂ were studied in this work. Data were obtained by the DSC technique and Derivatograph as well as infrared spectra and chemical analysis. The destruction of the complexes was found to take place in three steps—the first two of them being endothermic, and the third one exothermic. The values of ΔH₁, apparent activation energy and stoichiometry of the first step of destruction suggest that certain differences in bonding of the oxalate groups in each isomer lead to quite significant differences in their thermal decomposition.