Preparation and Thermal Decomposition of Solid-state Cinnamates of Lighter Trivalent Lanthanides

Some new compounds of cinnamic acid with lighter trivalent lanthanides were prepared in the solid state. The compounds have general formula ML₃ H₂ O, where L is cinnamate (C₆ H₅ –CH=CH–COO^– ) and M is La, Ce, Pr, Nd or Sm. Thermogravimetry, derivative thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction powder patterns were used to characterize and to study the thermal stability and thermal decomposition of these compounds. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.