Thermal decomposition of beryllium perchlorate tetrahydrate

Thermal decomposition of Be(ClO4)2x4H2O was studied by the differential flow technique in the helium stream. The kinetics was followed by an exchange reaction of the perchloric acid appearing by the decomposition with potassium carbonate. The rate of CO2 liberation in this process was recorded by a heat conductivity detector. The exchange reaction yielding CO2 is quantitative, it is not the limiting one and it does not distort the kinetics of the process of perchlorate decomposition. The solid products of decomposition were studied by infrared and NMR spectroscopy, roentgenography, thermography and chemical analysis. A mechanism suggested for the decomposition involves intermediate formation of hydroxyperchlorate: Be(ClO4)2x4H2O → Be(OH)ClO4+HClO4+3H2O; Be(OH)ClO4 → BeO+HClO4. Decomposition is accompained by melting of the sample. The mechanism of decomposition is hydrolytic. At room temperature the hydroxyperchlorate is a thick syrup-like compound crystallizing after long storing