Abstract

Single crystals of barium L-tartrate, BaC₄H₄O₆, were grown at 308 K by a gel method using silica gel as the growth medium. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction measurements were performed on the single crystals. The space group symmetry (orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁) and structural parameters were determined at room temperature. The crystal structure consisted of BaO₉ polyhedra, C₄H₄O₆ molecules, and zig-zag hydrogen-bonded chains along the a- and c-axes linked by O–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonds between adjacent molecules. Weight losses due to thermal decomposition of BaC₄H₄O₆ occurred in the temperature range of 450–1530 K. We suggest that the evolution of 2H₂, 2CO, CO, (1/2)O₂, and O₂ gases caused the observed weight losses and that the decomposition product, barium monocarbide BaC, formed a residue in the vessel.

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