Metal Complexes of Trifluoropentanedione. An Experiment for the General Chemistry Laboratory

The transition-metal complexes produced by the reactions of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) with 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione form the basis of this general chemistry laboratory exercise. The complexes can be prepared quickly in 40-60% yield from 150 mg of the metal nitrates. Mass spectroscopy is used to determine the stoichiometry of the reaction products. GCMS is used to show that two isomers result from the formation of the octahedral complex Cr(tfac)₃. The end result is a brief survey of the reactions of these first-row transition metals.