COUPLED RAMAN AND INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF ACETIC OR FORMIC ZIRCONYL CHLORIDE AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS

A Raman and infrared spectrometric study, coupled with measurements of pH and element analysis, has been performed on zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl2.8H(2)O) molar solutions with differing amounts of NaOH, HCl an d carboxylic acids (CH3COOH and HCOOH). A particular kinetic of coordi nation of carboxylate ions on zirconium ions of the free tetramers (Zr ,(OH)(8)(8+)) was identified by infrared spectroscopy. At the same tim e, structural rearrangements producing changes in the Raman spectra we re observed. The rate of these phenomena is under the control of param eters such as concentration and composition of carboxylic acid, and pH of the solution. Further, quantitative infrared experiments in soluti ons showed that the number of carboxylate ions linked per zirconium wa s usually close to one and it is suggested that carboxylate complexes are in the shape of distorted tetramer with bidentate RCOO(-) coordina tes.