Mössbauer studies of the decomposition of potassium trisoxalatoferrate(III). Part II

Abstract

The final product of the radiolysis of potassium trisoxalatoferrate(III) has been identified by analysis, Mössbauer and i.r. spectroscopy as the potassium salt of the dinuclear anion [ox₂FeO₂C₂O₂Fe ox₂]^6– which contains a quadridentate bridging oxalate group O₂C₂O₂. This compound can also be prepared by the thermal decomposition of the salt. The role of such intermediaries as Fe ox₂(H₂O)₂^2– and other oxalatoferrates is established and a mechanism for the radiolysis discussed. The G value for the decomposition, 7·1 is exceptionally large for the radiolysis of an inorganic solid.