Mechanism of the Thermolysis of Magnesium Perylenetetracarboxylates

Abstract

Black-red and orange magnesium perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylate species are synthesized in the ion-exchange reaction at room temperature and by boiling an aqueous solution, respectively. Upon heating the two species to 500°C in argon, they reversibly lose 19–27 wt % of their crystallization water, and the products become black. X-ray diffraction analysis results show the preservation of the layered structure upon heating, which is confirmed via transmission electron microscopy. Exposure to a humid atmosphere rehydrates and restores the original structure. Thermolysis to 1000°С in argon produces a composite of MgO nanoparticles in a porous glassy carbon matrix. The stability of perylenetetracarboxylates up to 500°C makes them a promising candidate for synthesizing metal–organic frameworks.