Thermal decompositions of heavy lanthanide aconitates

The conditions of thermal decomposition of Tb(III), Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu aconitates have been studied. On heating, the aconitates of heavy lanthanides lose crystallization water to yield anhydrous salts, which are then transformed into oxides. The aconitate of Tb(III) decomposes in two stages. First, the complex undergoes dehydration to form the anhydrous salt, which next decomposes directly to Tb₄O₇. The aconitates of Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu decompose in three stages. On heating, the hydrated complexes lose crystallization water, yielding the anhydrous complexes; these subsequently decompose to Ln₂O₃ with intermediate formation of Ln₂O₂CO₃.