Some studies on thallium oxalates. I. Thermal decomposition of ammonium bisoxalatothallate(III)

Trivalent thallium is precipitated in the presence of 0.1 M HNO₃ (or 0.05 M H₂SO₄) and O.1 M NH₄NO₃ (or 0.05 M (NH₄)₂SO₄) with oxalic acid. The chemical analysis of the salt obtained correspondens to the formula, NH₄Tl(C₂O₄)₂]·3H₂O. The thermal decomposition studies of the complex indicate the formation of the intermediates ammonium thallous oxalate (stable from 150° to 160°C) and thallous oxalate (stable up to 290°C) and the final product to be a mixture of 25% of thallous oxide and 75% of thallic oxide (stable from 450° to 650°C). The infrared absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns, microscopic observations and the electrical resistance measurements are used to characterise the complex and the intermediates of its thermal decomposition.