Conversions of coordinated ligands by reducing thermolysis of some double complex compounds

Thermal decomposition of binary complexes M(NH₃) _k ] _x M′L _n ] _y (M = Ni, Co; M′ = Fe, Cr, Cu; L = CN⁻, SCN⁻, C₂O₄²⁻) in a hydrogen atmosphere showed conversion of coordinated CN⁻ groups into ammonia and hydrocarbons; SCN⁻ into ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrocarbons; and C₂O₄²⁻ into hydrocarbons and CO₂. In all cases, methane prevails in the resulting hydrocarbons; ethylene is the second in relative yield, which however strongly depends on the temperature and combination of the central ions of double complex salts. The yield of ethylene is especially high from the reduction of Co-Fe complexes at 350°C, Co₄-Fe₃ complexes at 500°C, Ni₃-Fe₂ and Ni₃-Cr₂ complexes at 350°C. The observed conversions of coordinated groups can be interpreted as arising from the catalytic effect caused by the reduced forms of the central atoms in the binary complexes to the interaction of ligands with hydrogen.