Characterization, thermal stability and thermal decomposition of alkaline earth glycolates, M(C2H3O3)(2) (M = Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II)) were investigated employing simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), TG-DSC coupled to FTIR, elemental analysis based on the mass losses of the TG-DTA curves and complexometry. Calcium and strontium compounds were obtained in the anhydrous state, while magnesium and barium ones with hydration and adsorbed water, respectively. In all the compounds the thermal decomposition occurs with the formation of carbonate as intermediate and the respective oxides as final residue, except magnesium one which the thermal decomposition occurs with the formation of magnesium oxide, without the formation of carbonate. The results also provided information concerning the thermal stability, thermal behavior and identification of gaseous products evolved during the thermal decomposition of these compounds. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.