Thermal decomposition of Ln(C₂H₅CO₂)₃·H₂O (Ln = Ho, Er, Tm and Yb)

The thermal decomposition of Ho(III), Er(III), Tm(III) and Yb(III) propionate monohydrates in argon was studied by means of thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), IR-spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Dehydration takes place around 90 °C. It is followed by the decomposition of the anhydrous propionates to Ln2O2CO3 (Ln = Ho, Er, Tm or Yb) with the evolution of CO2 and 3-pentanone (C2H5COC2H5) between 300 and 400 °C. The further decomposition of Ln2O2CO3 to the respective sesquioxides Ln2O3 is characterized by an intermediate plateau extending from approximately 500–700 °C in the TG traces. This stage corresponds to an overall composition of Ln2O2.5(CO3)0.5 but is more probably a mixture of Ln2O2CO3 and Ln2O3. The stability of this intermediate state decreases for the lighter rare-earth (RE) compounds studied. Full conversion to Ln2O3 is achieved at about 1,100 °C. The overall thermal decomposition behaviour of the title compounds is similar to that previously reported for Lu(C2H5CO2)3·H2O.