The volatile products of combustion of dibasic lead phthalate in air were f
ound to be complex and unanticipated. In addition to phthalic anhydride and
water, decomposition products anticipated from TGA studies, actual combust
ion yields salicylic acid, apparently from decarbonylation. The presence of
basic lead acetate, from acetic acid catalysis in the preparation of dibas
ic lead phthalate, leads to minor amounts of dehydroacetic acid and 2-hydro
xyacetophenone.