Thermal decomposition of 2-nitrobenzoic acid

The thermal decomposition of 2-nitrobenzoic acid is investigated by means of adiabatic and quasi-isothermal calorimetry. The decomposition process develops according to zero order kinetics which gives substantial support to the intervention of vapour-phase reaction. The apparent activation energy of 144.8 kJ mol(-1) is evaluated. Chemical analysis gives support to the proposal of reliable reaction mechanisms.