Volatile metal β-diketonates — new precursors for the sonochemical synthesis of nanosized materials — sonolysis of thorium(IV) β-diketonates

Ultrasonic irradiation (22 kHz, Ar atmosphere) of Th(IV) β-diketonates Th(HFAA)4 and Th(DBM)4, where HFAA and DBM are hexafluoroacetylacetone and dibenzoylmethane respectively, causes them to decompose in hexadecane solutions, forming solid thorium compounds. The first-order rate constants for Th(IV) β-diketonate degradation were found to be (9.3±0.8)×10−3 for Th(HFAA)4 and (3.8±0.4)×10−3 min−1 for Th(DBM)4, (T=92°C, I=3 W cm−2). The rate of the sonochemical reaction increased with the rising β-diketonate volatility and decreased with the rising hydrocarbon solvent vapor pressure. Solid sonication products consisted of a mixture of thorium carbide ThC2 and Th(IV) β-diketonate partial degradation products. The average ThC2 particle size was estimated to be about 2 nm. ThC2 formation was attributed to the high-temperature reaction occurring within the cavitating bubble. The thorium β-diketonate partial degradation products formed in the liquid reaction zones surrounding the cavitating bubbles.