Simultaneous thermal analysis of zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate in a helium atmosphere

TG, DTG, DTA, DDTA and ΔH analyses of zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate, Zr(C₆H₇O₂)₄ (= I), were performed in a helium atmosphere with a Netzsch Thermal Analyser STA 429. The enthalpies of the main steps of transformation were computed to be +42.182 J·g^?1 and ?21.113 J·g^?1. Pure I is thermally stable up to about 199°C in He gas, and melting too occurs at about 199°C. Four well-defined decomposition steps were observed over the range between ambient and 600 °C, accompanied by a weight loss of 61.59%. The final product contained pure ZrO. The unique shapes of the TG and DTA curves could be used for the identification of I.