Thermal decomposition of dinuclear complexes LM(μ-OOCR)4ML (L is α-substituted pyridine)

The solid-state thermal decomposition of the tetrabridged dinuclear Mn^II, Fe^II, Co^II, Ni^II, and Cu^II pivalate complexes with apical α-substituted pyridine ligands containing different substituents (2,3-dimethylpyridine or quinoline) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The decomposition of the Co^II complexes is accompanied by the aggregation to form the volatile octanuclear complex Co₈(μ₄-O)₂(μ_n-OOCCMe₃)₁₂, where n = 2 or 3, whereas the thermolysis of the Mn^II, Fe^II, Ni^II, and Cu^II complexes is accompanied by the degradation of the starting compounds, the phase composition of the decomposition products being substantially dependent on the nature of metal and the apical organic ligand. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1650–1659, September, 2007.