STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF SRCU(OH)(4)CENTER-DOT-H2O

The structure of SrCu(OH)(4) . H2O has been determined from a single-c rystal X-ray refinement and shown to contain isolated square-planar [C u(OH)(4)](2-) groups separated by strontium ions and hydrogen bonded t o water molecules. ESR, IR and UV/VIS spectra are also reported for th is compound and are consistent with the presence of discrete [Cu(OH)(4 )](2-) square planes. Thermal decomposition of this material proceeded by a complex multistage process via Sr-2(OH)(2)Cu(OH)(4), through CuO and Sr(OH)(2), to Sr2CuO3 and CuO. Consideration of the structure of SrCu(OH)(4) . H2O shows that the relative orientation of the [Cu(OH)(4 )](2-) units is such that they do not crosslink to form infinite CuO2 sheets.