The thermal decomposition
of Co2(CO)6(PhC2Ph) has been investigated in
detail. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the most
suitable temperature range for the study. At 180�, Co2(CO)6(PhC2Ph)
decomposes to form cobalt, carbon monoxide, tetraphenylcyclopentadienone,
hexaphenylbenzene, and other organic compounds. Variation in the temperature,
the time, and the solvent used for the degradation reaction causes significant
changes in the yields of the organic products. An investigation of the effects
of adding stoichiometric amounts of free alkyne, tetra-phenylcyclopentadienone,
and hexaphenylbenzene has been initiated in an attempt to understand the
degradation mechanism.