Thermal behaviour of 6-(2-pyridylazo)-3-acetamidophenol and its metal complexes

The present work aims chiefly to study the thermal behaviour of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with 6-(2-pyridylazo)-3-acetamidophenol (PAAP) in nitrogen atmosphere. The moieties of the prepared complexes contain mainly coordinated water molecules (1-3) together with some water of crystallization. The water molecules of crystallization are removed in a single stage. The decomposition and combustion of the fragments occur in the second and subsequent stages. The fragmentation of the prepared complexes is also studied by mass spectrometry in order to identify the molecular ions obtained. The comparison of thermal analysis (TG) and mass spectra of the compounds is helpful in checking the correct proposed thermal decomposition schemes. This comparative study shows that mass spectra are correlated with the thermal analyses suggestions. The activation thermodynamic parameters of thermal decomposition pathways, such as energy of activation, enthalpy, entropy and free energy change of the complexes are evaluated and the stability of the thermal treated complexes is discussed, which shows that the thermal stabilities of the complexes are enhanced as the ionic radii decrease.