In recent years, thermal decomposition studies of transition metal complexes with
benzenepolycarboxylate ligands have become an area of a great importance due to the possibility of
obtaining useful metal oxides with desirable electrical, magnetic and catalytic properties [1]. As a
contrast to conventional methods for the preparation of metal oxides, such as hydrothermal or sol–
gel treatment, thermolysis is faster, more efficient and environmentally friendly. Mn(II)–dipya
(dipya = 2,2’-dipyridylamine) complex with tetraanion of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic
(pyromellitic, H4pyr) acid, [Mn2(dipya)2(pyr)(H2O)2], has been prepared and characterized by
elemental, spectral and microscopy analyses. Direct thermolysis of the complex up to 1200 °C in an
air atmosphere yielded spinel Mn3O4 oxide material. The obtained Mn3O4 has been characterized
for its structural, spectroscopic, morphological and optical properties. The possibilities of using this
oxide as photocatalyst or co-photocatalyst for removing textile organic dyes, as well as inorganic
pigmentary material, were also investigated and discussed
