Thermal decomposition of bishydrazinocarboxylate iron(II) di-hydrazinate

Low temperature (T<200°C) thermal decomposition in air of bishydrazinocarboxylate iron(II) dihydrazinate [Fe(II)(N2H3COO)2(N2H4)2] is known to produceγ-Fe2O3 in ultrafine form [1–4]. This decomposition process is known to be exothermal and autocatalytic but details regarding the stepwise mechanism of decomposition is yet unknown although a few attempts have been made with limited success [1, 5]. In our present work, we have combined the results from (i) thermal analysis of complex precursor and (ii) characterization of products isolated at intermediate and final stages of decomposition in order to explain the stepwise mechanism of decomposition of Fe(N2H3COO)2(N2H4)2 in air.