In order to obtain reliable data of the standard enthalpy of combustion of compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms, an isoperibolic micro-combustion calorimeter has been developed from a 22 cm(3) 1109A Parr semi-micro oxygen bomb. The calorimeter was calibrated with standard benzoic acid and the resulting energy equivalent was epsilon(calor) = (1497.39 +/- 0.37) J . K-1, which means an uncertainty of 0.027%. Combustion measurements using salicylic acid and 1,2,4-triazole were made in order to verify the accuracy of the device. The values of -Lambda(c)u degrees at T = 298.15 K for the compounds were (21877.2 +/- 4.6) J . g(-1), and (19217.7 +/- 1.9) J . g(-1), respectively, in agreement with the literature values. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.