The thermal decomposition of alkali metal formates

The thermal decompositions of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium formates were investigated by a complex dynamic thermoanalytical method. The ratio of the products in reactions resulting in alkali metal carbonates and oxalates depended variously on the atmosphere used. Differences were found compared to isothermal investigations, in that the catalytic effects of bases could not be observed and the oxalate-conversion was lower. The formation of oxalate did not occur in the cases of lithium and caesium formates; the order for the other salts was sodium formate < potassium formate > rubidium formate.