DINUCLEAR, TRINUCLEAR AND POLYNUCLEAR TRANSITION-METAL COMPLEXES OF 3,4-DIACETYL-2,5-HEXANEDIONE

3,4-Diacetyl-2,5-hexanedione (tetraacetylethane) is a tetradentate dib asic ligand and constitutes two acetylacetone molecules linked togethe r through the central carbon. The ligand is thus capable of coordinati ng two metal cations. Its reaction with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(III ) and Cr(III) yielded the corresponding complexes, [(M(L-2H)I for Cu(I I) and Ni(II), basic Co(III) complex [Co(L-2H)(OH)] and [M(2L-3H) for Fe(III) and Cr(III), These complexes were characterized by their IR, v isible and mass spectra and by magnetic measurements. All complexes ha ve octahedral configurations. The mass spectra of the complexes indica ted peaks with m/e Values higher than the parent peaks, where Ni(II), and Co(III) complexes are dimers and the Cu(II) complex is trimeric. T his coupled with the insolubility of the complexes in all common solve nts indicates the polymeric nature of the products.