Synthesis and thermal decomposition of zinc phthalate

Zinc phthalate was synthesized by the rheological phase reaction method, an d the crystal structure was determined. Its thermal decomposition in argon was investigated. The thermal decomposition products were characterized by IR, XRD and GC-MS methods. Benzophenone, anthraquinone and nanoscale zinc o xide were chiefly obtained when zinc phthalate was pyrolyzed at 400-450 deg rees C in argon atmosphere. The free radical reaction mechanism of zinc pht halate in the thermal decomposition process was proposed. Fresh nanoscale Z nO plays a role as catalyst for the forming of benzophenone and anthraquino ne. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.