Synthesis and structural characterization of tris (methacrylato)chromium(III)

A straightforward synthetic route to produce tris(methacrylato)chromium(III), Cr(O2C(CH3)C=CH2)(3), by reacting sodium methacrylate with an aqueous solution of CrCl3 gave a blue microcrystalline powder, insoluble in most common solvents. Electronic spectroscopy (UV-Vis), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were employed to characterize Cr(O2C(CH3)C=CH2)(3). Morphology and elemental composition of this compound were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), respectively. Spherical particles of approximately 2.5 mu m in diameter were obtained. Thermal stability of the product was investigated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The spectroscopic studies revealed that the coordination sphere around the chromium ion corresponds to a chelating bidentate carboxylate-Cr(III) complex. Thermal stability above 350 degrees C, and spherical shape particles of few micrometers in diameter, suggest a potential application of this novel compound as a catalyst in oxidation reactions.