Infrared, X-Ray and Thermogravimetric Studies on Cerium and Gadolinium Myristate Soaps

Cerium and gadolinium myristate soaps were prepared by direct metathesis of potassium myristate. The IR results showed that the fatty acid exists in a dimeric structure as a result of hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl groups of two acid molecule, whereas cerium and gadolinium myristate have an ionic character. The X-ray analysis indicated that the zig-zag chains of the fatty acid radical constituent of the soap molecules extend straight forward on both sides of eacs basal plane and the molecular excess of the soap molecules are slightly inclined to the basal plane.