On the relationship between the structures of Cu(II) complexes and the course of their thermal decomposition

Abstract  Thermal decomposition of [Cu4O(Cl+Br)6(OPPh3)4], starts at temperatures about 200°C. The decomposition proceeds in several steps. The intermediate formed in the first decomposition step (weight loss 2–4%) is a new crystalline phase with slightly different structure but with preserved central unit Cu4O. The only crystalline phases found in the further decomposition products was CuBr in all cases when the bromine atoms were present, the presence of CuCl was only observed at the decomposition of the hexachlorocomplex.