Thermal decomposition of molybdenum(IV) dialkyldithiocarbamates: application of a new method to kinetic studies

Abstract

We describe the application of a new method (differential scanning calorimetry, d.s.c.) to the kinetic analysis of the thermal decomposition under dinitrogen of several adducts with pyridine of MoIV dialkyldithiocarbamates. The adducts are of the form [Mo2(dtc)4(py)2] (dtc=Et2,n-Pr2,i-Pr2,t-Bu2, orN-methyl-cyclo-hexyldithiocarbamate and py). From d.s.c. curves, the activation energies for the loss of two pyridine molecules were calculated, and the mechanism was determined. A relationship between activation energies and the steric requirements of the ligands was also determined.