Structural and thermal decomposition characteristics of mixed-ligand complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II)

Mixed-ligand complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) with 8-hydroxyquinoline and thiophene-2-carboxylic acid as two different ligands, have been isolated in pure state. The formation of these complexes has been inferred potentiometrically. The isolated complexes have been characterized by their elemental analyses, IR and electronic spectra, conductivity and magnetic measurements. Solid state dehydration of the hydrated complexes and subsequent decomposition of the anhydrous complexes have been studied by simultaneous DTA and TG techniques. The thermal stability order of the hydrated compounds is Cu>Co>Ni>Zn, but in the decomposition process the trend observed is Co>Zn>Ni>Cu. Some parameters like activation energy and order of reaction for each process have been computed.