Crystal Structure and Thermal Properties of SrC4H4O6•4H2O Single Crystals
T. Fukami *
Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
S. Tahara
Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
C. Yasuda
Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
K. Nakasone
Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Single crystals of strontium tartrate tetrahydrate, SrC4H4O6·4H2O, were grown at 308 K by a gel method using silica gel as the medium of growth. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction measurements were performed on the single crystals. The space group symmetry (orthorhombic P212121) and the structural parameters were determined at room temperature. The O–H–O hydrogen-bonded network formed between adjacent C4H4O6 molecules was found to extend along the a-axis. Weight losses due to thermal decomposition of SrC4H4O6·4H2O occurred in the temperature range of 350–1200 K. The weight losses during decomposition were suggested to be caused by the evaporation of bound water molecules and the evolution of H2CO, 1/2O2, and 2CO gases. The chalky white substance remaining in the open vessel after decomposition was strontium oxide, SrO.
Keywords: SrC4H4O6•4H2O, crystal structure, thermal decomposition, DSC, TG-DTA, X-ray