Abstract
We have studied the thermal decomposition of EuCl<sub>3</sub>·6H<sub>2</sub>O using <i>in situ</i> measurements of the Eu<sup>3+</sup> ion luminescence spectrum. The luminescence spectrum proved to be extremely sensitive to structural and compositional changes undergone by the title compound during the decomposition process. There appeared to be no change in the oxidation state of the europium throughout the decomposition process. Four differently hydrated species of EuCl<sub>3</sub>·<i>n</i>H<sub>2</sub>O (<i>n</i> = 6,3,2, or 1) were identified via luminescence spectroscopy. We also observed another intermediate compound formed from the monohydrate prior to the final product EuOCl. Our analysis of this intermediate's spectrum indicates a single Eu<sup>3+</sup> ion site, which is consistent with a formulation of Eu(OH)Cl<sub>2</sub> rather than a mixed EuOCl·2EuCl<sub>3</sub> product, both of which have been postulated by others on the basis of their thermogravimetric measurements.
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