Thermal decomposition behaviour of lanthanum(III) tris-tartrato lanthanate(III) decahydrate

Lanthanum(III) tris-tartrato lanthanate(III) decahydrate, LaLa(C₄H₄O₆)₃]·10H₂O has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic spectral and X-ray powder diffraction studies. Thermal studies (TG, DTG and DTA) in air showed a complex decomposition pattern with the generation of an anhydrous species at ~170°C. The end product was found to be mainly a mixture of La₂O₃ and carbides at ~970°C through the formation of several intermediates at different temperature. The residual product in DSC study in nitrogen at 670°C is assumed to be a similar mixture generated at 500°C in TG in air. Kinetic parameters, such as, E*, ΔH, ΔS, etc. obtained from DSC are discussed. IR and X-ray powder diffraction studies identified some of the decomposition products. The tentative mechanism for the thermal decomposition in air of the compound is proposed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.