Thermolysis of tetrakis(trimethyltin)hexacyanoruthenate(ii): preparation and characterization of Ru3Sn7 and (Ru,Sn)O2

Abstract

The thermolysis of the coordination polymer tetrakis(trimethyltin)hexacyanoruthenate(II), ((CH₃)₃Sn)₄Ru(CN)₆, was performed under different atmospheres in order to obtain the intermetallic phase Ru₃Sn₇ under mild conditions. The thermolysis was studied in situ by thermogravimetry coupled with infrared spectroscopy (TG-IR). The intermediate phases were identified by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and elemental analysis. Ru₃Sn₇ was the main product after thermolysis under nitrogen at 600 °C, whereas RuO₂/SnO₂ mixed crystals were formed after thermolysis in air. Both products of the thermolysis occurred in sub-micrometer-sized particles. At 1000 °C under air, porous SnO₂ was obtained.