Thermal decomposition of the nickel and cobalt salts of aliphatic acids

Abstract

Abstract The nickel and cobalt salts of the aliphatic acids studied decompose by primary cleavage into metal oxide and anhydride. The anhydrides then suffer extensive pyrolysis and the ultimate products include metal, metal oxide, carbide and a mixture of vapours (acids, ketones, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen). The decomposition of nickel acetate in particular provides a good method of preparing nickel carbide Ni 3 C. The oxide formed from the slow air decomposition of nickel acetate is possibly a useful oxide catalyst. A new modification of cobaltous oxide is formed in good yield from the acetate.