Coordination of cassava starch to metal ions and thermolysis of resulting complexes

Abstract

Cassava starch formed Werner-type complexes with ions of metals from the transition groups. This was proven by conductivity and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. The coordination of starch to central metal ions influenced the thermal decomposition of starch. As a rule complexes started to decompose at lower temperature than did starch. On the other hand, the decomposition proceeded at a lower rate than the decomposition of non-coordinated starch.

KEY WORDS: Cassava starch, Coordination of starch to metal ions, Thermal decomposition of starch, Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements, Conductivity

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2003, 17(2), 155-165.