Thermoanalytical investigation of 1,2-diimidazoloethane complexes of copper, mercury and cadmium by TG-DTG-DTA techniques in static air atmosphere

Abstract

The iodide complexes of transition metals with 1,2-diimidazoloethane (DIE) of the general formula MLI2, (M=Cu(II), Hg(II), Cd(II); L=1,2-diimidazoloethane) were prepared and studied by means of thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. Their compositions were investigated by elemental analysis in order to ensure their purity and structural elucidations were based on conductivity measurements, room temperature magnetic measurements, proton NMR, XRD and IR spectra. Thermal decomposition of these distorted tetrahedral complexes and the ligand took place in two distinct steps upon heating up to 800°C, with the loss of inorganic and organic fragments. The thermal degradation of all the complexes (except for cadmium complex) in static air atmosphere started at temperatures lower than those observed for the free ligand pyrolysis. The composition of intermediates formed during degradation was confirmed by microanalysis and IR spectroscopy. The residues after heating above 740°C corresponded to metal oxide except for Hg(II) complex, which behaved differently. It was found on the basis of thermal analysis that thermal stability of the complexes increased in the following sequence: Hg(II)<Cu(II)<Cd(II).