THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF TETRAALKYL AMMONIUM TETRAFLUOROBORATES

The thermal decomposition of tetraalkyl ammonium tetrafluoroborates (R 4NBF4), where R=methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and n-butyl, were studied usin g thermogravimetric (TG) technique in an inert atmosphere of N-2 at a heating rate of 20 K min(-1). The decreasing order of thermal stabilit y and activation energy (E) with increase in size of the substituted a lkyl group are consistent with each other. The probable causes for hig her activation energy observed in the case of n-butyl substituted comp ound are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.