Product analysis, reaction mechanism and kinetics of the thermal decomposition of some even chain-length mercury(II) carboxylates

Abstract

The products of the thermal decomposition of some even chain-length mercury(II) carboxylates have been characterized. The products obtained for each soap include liquid mercury, carbon dioxide, a carboxylic acid, and an odd chain-length alkene. The suggestion that the alkene could be converted to an odd chain-length carboxylic acid is discussed. The liquid mercury is shown to come directly from the decomposition of the soaps and not through an intermediate of mercury(II) oxide. A possible mechanism for the degradative route is suggested. The activation energies for the decomposition of the soaps are independent of the carbon-chain length and correlation between the activation energy for decomposition and activation energy for viscosity cannot be made as was done for lead(II) carboxylates. However, like lead(II) soaps, the desorption of carbon dioxide occurs from the surface of the melts.