An unprecedented-type intramolecular redox reaction of solid tetraamminecopper(2+) bis(permanganate) ([Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2) - A low-temperature synthesis of copper dimanganese tetraoxide-type (CuMn2O4) nanocrystalline catalyst precursors

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/1522-2675(200208)85:8<2316::AID-HLCA2316>3.0.CO;2-A

Tetraamminecopper(2+) bis(permanganate) ([Cu(NH₃)₄](MnO₄)₂; 1) was prepared, and its properties were studied in both aqueous solution and the solid phase. The presence of H-bond interactions between the ammonia ligand of the complex cation and an O-atom of the permanganate ion was detected by [R and Raman methods. The solid-phase thermal deammoniation of 1 led to an unusual intramolecular redox reaction between the Mn-O...H-N linkage with formation of NH₄NO₃ and CuMn₂O₄-type mixed oxides instead of stepwise deammoniation, even below 100°. The thermal deammoniation of 1 in aqueous solution led, instead of to hydrated copper(2+) bis(permanganate), to the formation of NH₄MnO₄ (2). Since the temperature of the thermal deammoniation of 1 is lower than the decomposition temperature of the permanganate ion, the regulated solid-phase decomposition of 1 allowed preparation of CuMn₂0₄-type oxides with mixing of copper and manganese at the atomic level.

Full text of DOI:10.1002/1522-2675(200208)85:8<2316::AID-HLCA2316>3.0.CO;2-A

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Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
An Unprecedented-Type Intramolecular Redox Reaction of Solid
Tetraamminecopper(2‡) Bis(permanganate) ([Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2)
A
Low-Temperature Synthesis of Copper Dimanganese Tetraoxide-Type
(CuMn2O4) Nanocrystalline Catalyst Precursors
by La¬szlo¬ Ko¬tai*a), Kalyan K. Banerjib), Istva¬n Sajo¬ a), Ja¬nos Kristo¬fc), B. Sreedhard), Sa¬ndor Hollya),
Ga¬bor Kereszturya), and Antal Rockenbauera)
a) Chemical Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Pusztaszeri u. 59 67, H-1025 Budapest
(e-mail: kotail@chemres.hu)
b) Department of Chemistry, J. N. V. University, Jodhpur, 342005, Jodhpur, India
c
¬
¬
) University of Veszprem, Egyetem u. 10, H-8200, Veszprem
d) Inorganic Chemistry Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
Tetraamminecopper(2‡) bis(permanganate) ([Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2; 1) was prepared, and its properties
were studied in both aqueous solution and the solid phase. The presence of H-bond interactions between the
ammonia ligand of the complex cation and an O-atom of the permanganate ion was detected by IR and Raman
methods. The solid-phase thermal deammoniation of 1 led to an unusual intramolecular redox reaction between
the MnÀO ¥¥¥ HÀN linkage with formation of NH4NO3 and CuMn2O4-type mixed oxides instead of stepwise
deammoniation, even below 1008. The thermal deammoniation of 1 in aqueous solution led, instead of to
hydrated copper(2‡) bis(permanganate), to the formation of NH4MnO4 (2). Since the temperature of the
thermal deammoniation of 1 is lower than the decomposition temperature of the permanganate ion, the
regulated solid-phase decomposition of 1 allowed preparation of CuMn2O4-type oxides with mixing of copper
and manganese at the atomic level.
Introduction. Solid-state precursors with copper and manganese ions (mixed at
the atomic level) can be useful for the synthesis of various catalysts [1] at moderate
temperatures. One of the possible precursors, tetraamminecopper(2‡) bis(permanga-
nate) ([Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2; 1), was discovered by Klobb [2]. M¸ller et al. [3] studied
its IR spectrum and determined its powder diffractogram, but this diffractogram could
not be indexed due to the presence of an unidentified contaminant. Gorbunov and
Shmagin [4] compared the ignition properties of 1 with other tetraamminecopper(2‡)
salts. An unidentified contaminant was also found in their samples. Seferiadis et al. [5]
reported the results of thermal studies and single-crystal structure determination of 1
and concluded that strong H-bonds are lacking in 1. The authors assumed stepwise
deammoniation and decomposition of 1, with formation of CuMn2O4-type catalyst
precursors via a Cu(MnO4)2 intermediate at around 500 K. However, no explanation
has been offered for the unusual chemical and thermal properties of 1. Also, the nature
of the contaminant has not yet been exactly described.
To clarify the nature of the contaminant, we performed some new studies on the
behavior of 1 in solution. We identified this contaminant as ammonium permanganate
(NH4MnO4; 2) [6]. Since the presence of 2 may cause some overlap of NÀH or
MnÀO bands, the IR data of 1 were re-investigated, and some studies were made

Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
2317
by Raman, ESR, and TG-MS (TG ˆ thermogravimetry) as well as by powder X-ray-
diffraction methods. The decomposition product of 1 was studied by IR, MS, and
powder X-ray diffraction. Based on our thermal investigations, we suggest the
occurrence of an unprecedented intramolecular redox reaction in solid 1, which offers a
new possibility for the preparation of CuMn2O4-type catalyst precursors at low
temperature. We give a possible explanation for the unusual chemical and thermal
properties of 1 related to the presence of a weak H-bonding interaction within this
compound.
Experimental. General. Freshly prepared pure materials were used with the exception of some DSC
(differential scanning calorimetry) studies in which the effect of the contaminating NH4MnO4 (2; eventually
formed on aging of wet 1) on the thermal properties of ([Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2; 1) was investigated. Solid-state IR
spectra: BioRad-Digilab FTS-45-FT-IR spectrometer for the 4000 400 cmÀ1, and BioRad-Digilab FTS-40-FIR
spectrometer for the 400 40 cmÀ1 range (in nujol mull); 1 decomposed under the conditions of KBr pellet
preparation (pressure); to prevent decomposition of the sample, diffuse-reflectance investigations with a
Nicolet 170SX-FT-IR spectrometer (5% 1 in KBr; 400 4000 cmÀ1) with 1 cmÀ1 wavenumber resolution were
performed. Solution IR spectra: in DMF; Nicolet 205-FT-IR spectrometer for the 400 4000 cmÀ1 range. Solid-
state Raman spectrum: Nicolet 950-FT-Raman spectrometer equipped with a Nd :YAG laser (4000 100 cmÀ1
range, 1 cmÀ1 resolution); to avoid heating, the sample was rotated during measurements. X-Ray powder
diffraction: Philips PW-1050-Bragg-Brentano parafocusing goniometer, equipped with secondary-beam graph-
ite monochromator and proportional counter; scans recorded in step mode by using CuKa radiation at 40 kV
and 35 mA tube power; evaluation of the diffraction patterns by full-profile fitting techniques. Thermal studies:
Derivatograph-type simultaneous thermoanal. equipment (Hungarian Optical Works, Budapest), equipped
with a selective H2O monitor and a gas-titrimetric apparatus (NH3 was absorbed and determined by pH-static
titration with 0.1m HCl at pH 5); or Perkin-Elmer DSC-2-type calorimeter as well as a Perkin-Elmer TGS-2
thermobalance connected to a Balzers QMS-511-type mass spectrometer; heating rates 58/min (slow) and 208/
min (fast); diluted samples (95% Al2O3 and 5% 1, covered with Al2O3) under Ar. ESR: Jeol JES-FE/3X-ESR
spectrometer upgraded for data acquisition by IBM PC Pentium I, working in X microwave band with 100 kHz
field modulation, MnII-doped magnesium oxide powder for the calibration of g-measurements.
Tetraamminecopper(2‡) Sulfate. CuSO4 ¥ 5 H2O (50 g, 200 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of H2O
(50 ml) and conc. NH3 soln. (80 ml). After 5 min stirring, the soln. was filtered, and MeOH (75 ml) was added to
the filtrate. The precipitate was separated and recrystallized from H2O at 08. The crystals were subsequently
washed with conc. NH3 soln. EtOH 1:1, MeOH, and Et2O and then dried at r.t.: 11.3 g (23.0%) of
[Cu(NH3)4]SO4 ¥ H2O.
Tetraaminecopper(2‡) Bis(permanganate) (1). A soln. of [Cu(NH3)4]SO4 ¥ H2O (2.5 g, 10 mmol) in H2O
(15 ml) was cooled to ‡ 88. Then a 15-ml portion of a cold KMnO4 soln. (3.2 g, 20 mmol) was added. The
mixture was immediately cooled to 28: 1.2 g (32%) of 1. The d values of the product and calculated d values from
single-crystal X-ray data showed a good agreement.
Results and Discussion. Preparation and Properties. Preparation of 1 was carried
out by the reaction of potassium permanganate and a tetraamminecopper(2‡) sulfate
solution at 88, followed by quick cooling of the solution mixture to 28. Mixing the room-
temperature saturated solutions of [Cu(NH3)4]SO4 and KMnO4 in a stoichiometric
ratio led to the formation a contaminated crystalline mass of 1 in the quenched solution
[3][4]. The reaction of the copper(2‡) sulfate solution in ammonia containing excess
of the latter and KMnO4 also gave contaminated 1 at 88 [2], while MnO2 formation was
observed at room temperature. The purity of 1 decreased with the increase in excess
ammonia and increased with the decrease in mixing temperature. Recrystallization of 1
was carried out below 58 [5] to avoid NH4MnO4 formation [6].
Sample 1 is a violet crystalline substance, soluble in H2O, DMF, and Ac2O and
insoluble in hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents. It is stable in dry solid state for

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Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
several weeks but decomposes with formation of MnO2 if allowed to stand for a longer
period of time. The wet crystals of 1 slowly decompose > 108. Therefore, the chemical
and thermal behavior of 1 strongly depends on the conditions used for drying and the
age of the sample due to the presence of decomposition products. Compound 1 also
decomposes on standing in solutions, the decomposition product being NH4MnO4 in
H2O, MnO2 in DMF, and an unidentified green compound in Ac2O. In DMF solutions, 1
is completely dissociated to its free ions. The permanganate band at 900 cmÀ1 is a very
sharp s due to the regular tetrahedral symmetry of the completely solvated MnOÀ4 ion,
and the CuÀN band near 420 cmÀ1 is broadened due to solvation of the cation via the
N-atoms of DMF molecules. The DMF solution of 1 loses its purple color within half an
hour.
Concentration of the aqueous solution of 1 to half of its initial volume by
evaporation leads to the formation of NH4MnO4 (2) due to a quasi-intramolecular acid-
base reaction of 1 (both Cu2‡ and OHÀ ions originate from the dissociation of the
tetramminecopper-complex cation) [6] (Eqn. 1). An increase in temperature favorably
affects the formation of 2, since the solubility of 1 increases; therefore, the amount of
the dissociated tetraamminecopper(2‡) ion, as well as the concentrations of the free
(released) copper(2‡) ions and NH3, also increase. The dissociation of the
tetramminecopper(2‡) ion to copper(2‡) ion and NH3, the protonation of NH3, the
formation and dissociation of NH4OH, as well as the formation of the solubility product
of copper(2‡) dihydroxide in this system are temperature-dependent processes, thus
the reaction according to Eqn. 1 is also temperature-dependent. Upon bringing the
aqueous solution of 1 to the boil, loss of NH3 ammonia into the gas-phase shifts the
equilibrium to the formation of 2.
[Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2(aq) ‡ 2 H2O ˆ Cu(OH)2(s) ‡ 2 NH3(g) ‡ 2 NH4MnO4(aq) (1)
Since contamination of 1 with 2 during room-temperature synthesis or in the
presence of excess NH3 may be attributed to these processes, the preparation of 1 has to
be made at low temperature and in the absence of excess ammonia.
Structural Characterization. Compound 1 crystallizes in monoclinic symmetry, with
the lattice parameters a ˆ 5.413, b ˆ 9.093, c ˆ 10.749 ä, and g ˆ 96.188 at 293 K (Z ˆ
2). The central Cu-atom in 1 lies in a near-regular tetragonal plane of an octahedron,
and the two axial MnOÀ4 ions are crystallographically nonequivalent [5]. The ESR g-
factors (gzz ˆ 2.273, gxx ˆ gyy ˆ 2.090) are typical of O-ligation with square-planar
geometry. The ESR spectrum of 1 has sharp parallel and perpendicular bands. The
sharpness of the line and the lack of Cu hyperfine structure show that the exchange
interactions between magnetically equivalent Cu-centers are much stronger than the
dipole couplings.
Since localization of the H-atoms by X-ray-diffraction measurements is rather
uncertain, the possible existence of some H-bonding interactions was investigated by
FT-IR and Raman methods. Although the position of the nÄas NÀH stretching bands is
usually applied for evaluation of the H-bonding ability of the NÀH bond, it cannot
unambigously prove the presence of NÀH ¥¥¥ O H-bonds; however, the shift of the
1r(NH) band in tetraammine metal complexes is very sensitive to the presence of H-
bonds [7].

Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
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The bands observed in the IR and Raman spectra of polycrystalline 1 (see Fig. 1 and
Table 1) can roughly be divided into bands originating from the vibrations of the MnO4À
ions, those arising from some modes localized within the NH3 molecules in the complex,
and those due to the vibrational modes of the complex cation. Although the same
number of bands may appear both in the IR and Raman spectra of the [Cu(NH3)4]2‡
group (C4v or C4h point groups [8]; Cs site symmetry, C22h factor group for compound 1),
we could not assign all the Raman shifts of the cation due to their low intensities. To
avoid the disturbance of the NH4MnO4 bands, the IR and Raman spectra of 1 were
compared to those of 2 [9]. The IR and Raman bands of 1 were assigned, based on
earlier spectroscopic analyses of the [Cu(NH3)4]2‡ ion and the IR data of square-planar
tetraamminecopper(2‡) tetraoxometallate complexes [10][11]. The positions of the
NÀH bands also show structural similarity between 1 and other tetraammine-
copper(2‡) tetraoxometallates [10][11].
Fig. 1. Raman spectrum of 1 at room temperature
The analysis of the MnÀO bands seems to be very interesting due to the distorted
structure of 1. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group (C22h À P21/m)
with Z ˆ 2) with two crystallographically nonequivalent MnOÀ4 ions. The correlation
table of MnOÀ4 ion in 1 is given in Table 2.
On the basis of Table 2, two s (nÄ1), two d (nÄ2), and two times two t (nÄ3 or nÄ4) bands
may be expected in both the Raman and IR spectra due to the presence of two
crystallographically nonequivalent MnOÀ4 ions. Since some bands overlap in the spectra
recorded at room temperature, the asymmetric MnÀO stretching band (nÄ3) in the IR
spectra of 1 is a d or q (nujol and KBr/diffuse reflectance, resp.), and a well-separated
quint. can be seen in the Raman spectrum. The symmetric MnÀO stretching band (nÄ1)
is a s in both spectra, but its intensity in the Raman spectrum is higher than in the IR
spectrum. Separation of the nÄ1 bands of the two nonequivalent MnOÀ4 ions cannot be

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Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
Table 1. Assigment of IR and Raman Bands of 1. IR Wavenumbers and Raman shifts are in cmÀ1; d.r. ˆ diffuse
reflectance.
IR (nujol)
IR (d.r., KBr)
Raman (d.r., KBr)
IR [9] (nujol)
836
Anion bands:
nÄs (MnO)
nÄas (MnO)
833
892
914
833
892
904
913
915
834
886891
903
908
913
918
925
ds (OMnO)
das (OMnO)
345
392
344
349
383
385
390
393
Cation NÀH bands:
nÄas (NH)
nÄs (NH)
3328
3230
3203
3167
1620
1240
3325
3249
3168
3323
3252
das (HNH)
ds (HNH)
1604
1257
1239
1592
1270
1251
1236
1615
1244
1r (NH)
675
430
693
686
430
424
402
685
440
Cation bandsa):
nÄas (CuN)
431
311
nÄs (CuN)
ds (NCuN)
g (CuN4)
p (CuN4)
nÄ (CuÀO)
379
305
248
16
250
200
0
194
a) Tentative assignment, lattice vibrations were also detected at 118, 89, or 70 cmÀ1. IR combination bands were
observed at 2444 cmÀ1, 1757, 1739, and 1712 cmÀ1 1403 cmÀ1, and 624 cmÀ1
.
,
Table 2. Correlation Table for Vibrations of Permanganate Ion in 1
Symmetry of free ion
Site symmetry
Factor group
Td
A1
E
Cs
A'
A'
A''
C22h (Z ˆ 2)
Ag ‡ Bu
Ag ‡ Bu
Au ‡ Bg
2 Â F2
2 Â 2A'
2  2(Ag ‡ Bu)
2  (Au ‡ Bg)
2 Â A''
observed. Similar overlaps can be seen in both the ds and das (OMnO) deformation
bands. The bands at 1739 and 1712 cmÀ1 are the combination of nÄ1 and nÄ3 modes of the
MnOÀ4 ion (a similar combination band was detected in the diffuse-reflectance IR
spectra of both NH4MnO4 and KMnO4 [9]). A d (ds) and a q (das) were observed in the
Raman spectra instead of the expected two d and two t.

Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
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The appearance of IR-inactive CuÀN stretching modes in the IR spectrum of 1
shows the symmetry-lowering due to distortion of the regular square-planar CuN4
geometry. The splittings of nÄs, ds, and 1r NÀH bands or the nÄas CuÀN band confirm the
symmetry-lowering of the complex cation. The presence of this distorted cation
structure together with shifts of NÀH stretching bands show the presence of weak but
well-defined H-bond(s) in 1 [7][10]. The unusual thermal behavior of 1 in the case of
an NÀH ¥¥¥ OÀMn-centered redox reaction instead of expected NH3 release also
confirms our results, pointing to the existence of a H-bond in 1. Since the Pauling
electronegativity is not suitable for the exact measurement of the electron density of
the O-atoms in MO4 anions of transition metals with many electrons, the relative
strength of this interaction cannot be determined based on the correlation between
band position and electronegativity of the central atom in MOn4À anions.
Thermal Decomposition of 1 in the Solid State. The thermal-decomposition
characteristics of 1 strongly depend on the presence of impurity 2 as well on the
conditions of heating. On fast heating, or in the absence of a heat-convecting medium
(e.g., alumina or an inert solvent such as CCl4), the decomposition reaction proceeds in
one step like an explosion. The decomposition is of strongly exothermic character,
starting with an explosion-like reaction at 758. The gas-phase decomposition products
are NH3, O2, and oxidation products of NH3, namely N2, NO, NO2, and H2O. The
presence of N2O could not be detected. Nitrogen oxides and N2 may be formed from
direct oxidation of NH3. The primary oxidation products, however, could not be
detected, since NO2 may form from the oxidation of NO due to the presence of O2, or
NO may also form from the decomposition of NO2. The reaction of NH3 and nitrogen
oxides may also lead to the formation of H2O and N2.
The solid residue contains MnO and Mn3O4 as manganese-containing, and Cu and
Cu2O as copper-containing species. The heat of reaction is very high (308.6kJ/mol).
The ignition of 1 in an O2 atmosphere leads to the formation of metallic Cu and Mn3O4
and to the formation of H2O, a small amount of NH3, and N2 as gaseous products. The
ignition heat released is 635 kJ/mol, and 1 ignites with explosion under 8 bar of O2
pressure [4]. Compression of the crystalline structure under pressure causes a decrease
in the NÀH ¥¥¥ OÀMn bond lengths, and the reaction heat of a subsequent redox
reaction initiates further decomposition processes. Since the pressure was created by O2
gas, the reaction heat was higher during this process than the heat of thermal
decomposition due to an almost complete oxidation of the NH3 present.
The analogous tetraamminecopper(2‡) bis(perchlorate) decomposes by a rapid
explosion without any possibility of isolating the intermediates or the end products
[11][12]. Ignition properties were similar to those of the permanganate salt [4].
Preliminary thermogravimetric studies of the slow decomposition of 1 have already
been performed [5]. According to the evaluation of weight-loss data, the decom-
position mechanism was summarized by Eqns. 2 and 3. The intermediate phase was
found to be an amorphous mass, while the final product was crystalline CuMn2O4 [5].
[Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2 ˆ −Cu(MnO4)2× ‡ 4 NH3 (313 423 K)
Cu(MnO4)2 ˆ CuMn2O4 ‡ 2 O2 (423 773 K)
(2)
(3)

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Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
Since the preparation of Cu(MnO4)2 could not be performed by thermal
dehydration of hydrated copper(II) permanganate [13], we tried to freeze the
decomposition reaction at the stage of copper(II) permanganate formation. While our
attempts aimed at the preparation of the compound failed, the presence of N-
compounds and the absence of MnOÀ4 ion could be observed in the solid residue.
To avoid fast decomposition and, thus, exclude explosive heat-induced degradation,
a heat-convecting medium (alumina or an inert chlorinated solvent) was used during
the study of the thermolytic reactions of 1. In this case, the decomposition process of 1
could be followed. The thermal decomposition of 1 in the presence of 95% alumina
was studied with simultaneous TG (thermogravimetry), DTG (differential thermo-
gravimetry), DTA (differential thermal analysis), and evolved-gas detection (NH3) as
well as with the monitoring of H2O liberation. In the first step, 2 mol of NH3 as well as
1 mol of H2O were released simultaneously in an exothermic reaction. The formation
of these compounds was also confirmed by TG-MS results (Fig. 2). The IR spectra of
the solid decomposition intermediate of 1 after the first step showed the presence of
‡
NH4 ion and NOÀ3 ion, and the total absence of the MnOÀ4 ion. The strong shift of the
MnÀO stretching bands to the lower-wavenumber region in the IR spectrum of the
decomposition intermediate shows a decrease in the oxidation number of manganese
[14]. Since no O2 evolution was observed, the formation of H2O must be the result of an
unprecedented intramolecular redox reaction in solid 1. To the best of our knowledge, 1
is the first permanganate salt known to decompose without O2 evolution during
thermal treatment.
The first decomposition step of tetraamminecopper(2‡) sulfate with the release of
NH3 (2 mol) and H2O (1 mol) is an endothermic process (199.8 kJ/mol) without any
redox reaction. Since thermal deammoniation of the tetraamminecopper(2‡) cation
starts at 758 in the case of the sulfate salt, and the redox reaction starts at ca. 658, 1
cannot be deammoniated by heating. The presence of the NÀH ¥¥¥ OÀMn linkage and
the high oxidation ability of the MnOÀ4 ion induce an intramolecular redox reaction
with formation of NH4NO3 instead of simple thermal deammoniation. Similarly, the
thermal-decomposition temperature of the MnOÀ4 ion is higher (above 978 [13][15])
than the temperature of the redox reaction. Therefore, the thermal decomposition of
the MnOÀ4 ion with the formation of MnO2 and O2 does not take place. Since only one
of the NH3 ligands is oxidized, and the other forms a cation to neutralize the HNO3
formed, 2 mol of NH3 and 1 mol of H2O are released into the gas phase. By lowering the
oxidation state of manganese, the oxidizing ability of manganese-containing anions also
decreases. Thus, the last 2 mol of NH3 are not oxidized in Mn-containing species at this
low temperature. The oxidation of gaseous NH3 after thermal decomposition can be
excluded, since NH4NO3 is formed in the solid phase, and the temperature of the redox
reaction is lower than the temperature of NH3 liberation from the tetra-
amminecopper(2‡) cation. The equation of the slow thermal decomposition of 1
can be described by Eqn. 4.
[Cu(NH3)4](MnO4)2 ˆ CuMn2O4 ‡ H2O ‡ NH4NO3 ‡ 2 NH3
(4)
The sum of the exothermic-reaction heat of NH4NO3 formation (by the oxidation
of NH3) and the endothermic release of NH3 gives an overall process of exothermic

Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
2323
Fig. 2. TG-MS of 1 in alumina matrix

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Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
nature. In each step of the decomposition, the heat of reaction depends on the relative
amounts of intermediates and contaminants formed during decomposition or aging
(the ratio of these compounds may be affected by the heating rate, the presence of
impurities, the age of the sample and the moisture content of the starting complex 1).
The effects of these factors can be clearly seen in the DSC (differential scanning
calorimetry) spectra of fresh and 2-week-old samples of 1 (Fig. 3).
The solid decomposition intermediates are almost X-ray-amorphous powders,
having highly diffuse, broad bands. The relatively small number of peaks show a simple
(probably cubic) lattice. The stoichiometry of the residue gives the formula CuMn2O4.
Since the Cu-containing solid residue does not dissolve in conc. HNO3 solution, the
presence of CuO (CuO/Mn2O3 mixture) may be excluded. However, a metallic Cu-
containing residue may form as part of a fast decomposition, as evidenced by the
formation of Cu(NO3)2 with noxious gas evolution when the residue is treated with
conc. HNO3 solution.
The second decomposition step gives, depending on the age of the sample, a weak
exothermic or endothermic peak in the DSC curve, accompanied by the liberation of a
small amount of gas (NH3 and its oxidation products). The gases formed are identical
to the decomposition products of 2 [16]. The heat of reaction of the second step (110
1608) depends on the heat of reaction of the first step. In the case of a fresh sample, the
heat of reaction of the first step is 289.8 kJ/mol, and the second decomposition step
shows endothermic character (8.97 kJ/mol). In the case of aged samples (stored for 1
and 2 weeks in a refrigerator), the heat of reaction in the first step of decomposition is
only 154.8 and 109.42 kJ/mol, respectively. There is no observable heat evolution/
absorption in the case of the sample stored for 1 week. Some 50.3 kJ/mol heat is
released in the second step in the case of the sample stored for 2 weeks. This step is
probably a complex step of decomposition of the contaminant NH4MnO4 (2) formed
during the aging of the sample (exothermic), overlapped with endothermic phase
transitions of NH4NO3 formed in the first decomposition step [17].
The third decomposition step is an exothermic one at 170 2108. The heat of
reaction depends on the age (and composition) of the sample (46.1 75.5 kJ/mol).
Decomposition proceeds with evolution of N2O and H2O but without the release of
NH3; O2 evolution is also not observed.
The third decomposition step is successfully frozen by quick cooling of the sample.
The IR spectrum of the solid decomposition intermediates shows an unusual sharp
peak at 2200 cmÀ1. This band is characteristic of gaseous N2O. The existence of N2O-gas
inclusion in the solid residue shows that N2O is formed in the solid phase and not from
the oxidation of a gaseous N-compound. IR Bands characteristic of oxides of lower-
‡
valence manganese, NH4 ion, and NOÀ3 ion are also observed. Based on the above
results, the third decomposition step is identified as a noncatalysed and a metal-oxide
catalysed thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate with formation of N2O and H2O
(see Eqn. 5). NO Formation as a side reaction during the thermal decomposition of
NH4NO3 is well-known [17]; NO may also be formed by fragmentation/decomposition
of N2O during MS measurements. Two N2O-formation steps can be observed at this
stage of decomposition. The first step probably originates from catalytic decomposition
at a lower temperature, while the second one is probably a noncatalytic decomposition
step (Fig. 2). Similar catalytic effects were observed in the thermal decomposition of

Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
2325
Fig. 3. DSC Curves of a) freshly prepared and b) aged samples of 1

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Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
NH4NO3 [18]. Since the amount of N2O is lower in the second decomposition step, we
cannot exclude the possibility that this second step is the release of N2O gas included in
the solid decomposition intermediate.
NH4NO3 ˆ N2O ‡ 2H2O
(5)
Low-Temperature Synthesis of Nanocrystalline CuMn2O4 Catalyst Precursors. Since
the peak temperature of the first decomposition step of 1 is 788, we used CCl4 (b.p.
76.88) instead of solid alumina as a heat-convecting medium. The suspension of 1 in
CCl4 was refluxed for 1 h. During this time, 1 totally decomposed, and NH4NO3 as well
as a compound with a lower-oxidation-state MnÀO bond were detected in the solid
residue by IR spectroscopy.
In addition to copper manganate, some copper manganese oxides also have
manganese oxidation states lower than VII (e.g., Cu3(MnO4)2, CuMnO2, and CuMn2O4
[19]). The formation of CuMn2O4 from different manganese oxide and copper(II)
oxide precursors is well-known. The temperatures of the syntheses were 400 5008 [19],
higher than the formation temperature of crystalline CuMn2O4 in the thermal-
decomposition process of 1 [5]. This is also confirmed by the lack of CuO and Mn2O3 as
primary decomposition products during the thermal decomposition of 1.
Since the temperature of the intramolecular redox reaction in solid 1 is lower than
the breakdown temperature of MnOÀ4 ion (which is above 978 [12][15][16]), the
CuÀOÀMn linkage of 1 remained without formation of MnO2. This linkage serves as a
basis for the evolution of a CuMn2O4 spinel structure. Since copper is present in
homogeneous distribution at a ionic level, and no diffusion mixing is required for the
formation of a double-oxide structure, the evolution of a crystalline spinel structure
starts at the temperature of CuMn2O4 formation (ca. 808). Crystallization must be
completed at higher temperatures (ca. 2308). The only by-product of CuMn2O4
formation was NH4NO3, which was removed from the decomposition product by
washing with H2O. With the use of CCl4 as a heat-convecting medium, the thermal
decomposition of 1, followed by washing of the solid residue with H2O, gave a
noncrystalline CuMn2O4 catalyst precursor. This noncrystalline residue could be heated
to induce crystallization. On heating this compound to 2008 for 2 h, a slighty
crystallized CuMn2O4 spinel was obtained. The full profile fit of the X-ray diffraction
data for the CuMn2O4 phase shows a crystalline size of ca. 2 nm. Based on SEM
(scanning electron microscopy) studies, these crystallites are located in a 100 300-nm
amorphous matrix. At 5008, however, a totally crystalline CuMn2O4 spinel could be
prepared [5]. Elucidation of the mechanism of thermal decomposition of 1 revealed
that the formation of CuMn2O4 took place in the first decomposition step between 60
and 808, and not by thermal decomposition of the Cu(MnO4)2 intermediate at higher
temperatures. This observation and the H2O solubility of NH4NO3 offer a simple,
convenient method for the synthesis of noncrystalline CuMn2O4 catalyst precursors at
low temperature. Controlled heat treatment of noncrystalline CuMn2O4 leads to
controlled-size crystallites in the nm range.
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We wish to express our thanks to Dr. Attila Sebestyen, Margit Kovacs-Toplak, and Katalin Papp for their
help in the experimental work.

Helvetica Chimica Acta Vol. 85 (2002)
2327
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Received February 27, 2002