A thermal study of some lanthanide trifluoromethyl sulfonates

Lanthanide trifluoromethyl sulfonates, M(SO₃CF₃)₃ · 9H₂O, have been prepared and characterized by analysis, optical properties and thermal behaviour. Dehydration proceeded in two steps for the lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium salts and in three steps for other members of the lanthanide series. Thermal decomposition to lanthanide fluoride, carbonyl fluoride and sulfur dioxide occurred at temperatures greater than 400°C. This decomposition has been shown to be a two step process.