THE INFRARED SPECTRUM AND THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF HYDRAZINE PERCHLORATE HEMIHYDRATE

Abstract

The infrared spectrum of hydrazine perchlorate hemihydrate (HPH) has been determined and an assignment of the absorption bands made. Invacuo, HPH will partially dehydrate even at room temperature; when heated the remainder of the half-mole of water is lost at 61 °C. The dehydrated salt melts at 138 °C and decomposition ensues. The kinetics of decomposition may be followed in the temperature range 180–280 °C. The activation energy is 36.3 kcal/mole. At low temperatures the decomposition is represented by the chemical equation[Formula: see text]but when the temperature is high enough the rate of decomposition of the ammonium perchlorate formed becomes appreciable also. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.