A large number of solid-state reactions involve acid/base equilibria of oxi
des. Among the chemical factors that may influence, determine, or modify su
ch reactions and their rate-determining steps, the relative stabilities of
metal oxysalts can be crucial. Thus, simple ways for predicting and/or asso
ciating chemical and thermodynamic properties are of considerable interest.
A correlation between the differences in acidity of constituent oxides and
the heats of decomposition of their corresponding metal oxysalts has been
found. In addition, the concept of difference in oxide acidity is successfu
lly correlated with the concept of polarizability, given by the ratio r(1/2
)/Z (where r = cation radius, Z* = effective nuclear charge).