Energetics of long alkyl chains embedded in a crystalline matrix: (n-C18H37NH3)2CdCl4

Heat capacity measurements of (n-C18H37NH3)2CdCl4 from 10 to 370 K are reported. By analogy with homologs of shorter chain lengths, the heat capacity of a CH2 unit as a function of temperature has been derived. In addition, four phase transitions in the title compound are reported: at 349.6±0.1, 356.0±01, 359.5±0.3, and 365.6±0.3 K, with transition entropies of 132±1, 6.5±0.3, 9.6±0.3, and 95±1 J K−1 mol−1, respectively.