
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Beckett, R 
A1  - Winfield, ME 
T1  - The Thermal Decomposition of Thorium Oxalate
JF  - Australian Journal of Chemistry
JO  - Aust. J. Chem.
Y1  - 1951
VL  - 4
IS  - 4
SP  - 644
EP  - 650
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/CH9510644 
N2  - The thermal decomposition of hydrated thorium oxalate was followed by determining weight loss, change in electrical conductivity, and chemical composition of products. At temperatures below 200°C. the weight-loss curve indicated the existence of a tri- and a dihydrate and possibly a pentahydrate of thorium oxalate as stages m the dehydration. At higher temperatures dehydration was accompanied by loss of CO and CO2.   Almost all the (C2O4)= decomposed sharply over a small temperature range near 300°C. Although some carbonate was formed, it did not exceed a concentration of 0.076 mole per mole of total thorium.  According to chemical analysis the residue after heating at 350°C. was ThO2 with a trace of carbonate and water. X-ray analysis, however, showed it to be a mixture of ThO2, and a second substance whose identity is unknown.   In the electron microscope the hydrated oxalate and the thoria produced from it were little different in appearance. Both appeared as relic crystals which were square prisms about l &#956; across and 0.2 &#956; thick, with a characteristic central aperture which exposed a large area of surface. 
ER  -

