Thermal decomposition of acetyl ferrocene was carried out at ~1000°C in a furnace in ambient conditions. The residual product obtained was ~14% by weight. Morphology of the residual material was obtained by scanning electron microscopy. Standard physical characterization techniques like powder XRD, electrical conductivity study, dc magnetization study as well as ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy were employed to characterize the thermal decomposition product. The results obtained from those studies unequivocally established that the residual material obtained is hematite. A solid state reaction has been proposed.

acetyl ferrocene, thermal decomposition, characterization, hematite.