Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Some Metal Complexes of N,N-diethyl-n '-benzoylthiourea

Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were performed on the complexes with general formula (M(DEBT)_n (where M =Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Ru; n =2, or 3 and DEBT=N,N-diethyl-N'-benzoylthiourea). Derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) curves were also recorded in order to obtain decomposition data on the complexes. The complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Ru(III) displayed two- or three-stage decomposition patterns when heated in a dynamic nitrogen atmosphere. Mass loss considerations relating to the decomposition stages indicated the conversion of the complexes to the sulfides or to the corresponding metal alone (Cu, Ru, NiS, CoS or FeS). Mathematical analysis of the TG and DTG data showed that the order of reaction varied between 0.395 and 0.973. Kinetic parameters such as the decomposition energy, the entropy of activation and the pre-exponential factor are reported. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.