MOLTEN LITHIUM-NITRATE POTASSIUM-NITRATE EUTECTIC - THE REACTION OF COMPOUNDS OF INDIUM

The reaction of indium(III) nitrate, chloride and sulphate in molten nitrate has been shown by thermogravimetric analysis to be of the Lux-Flood acid-base type, the insoluble product being indium(III) oxide. The temperature of reaction has been shown to increase with coordination of added anionic ligands to the indium (i.e. causing stabilisation), the relative effect being F- > SO4(2)- > Cl- > IO3- > ClO4- > NO3-. However, additions of potassium nitrite, chlorate or bromide caused similar reactions to that of nitrate alone but at lower temperatures because they behave as stronger Lux-Flood bases, in the case of bromide by catalysing the nitrate-nitrite equilibrium.