Molecular structure of bis(acetylacetonato)nickel(II) in the gas phase as determined from electron diffraction data

The molecular structure of bis(acetylacetonato)nickel(II) has been determined by a sector-microphotometer gaseous electron-diffraction method. The experimental data were found to be consistent with a monomeric square-planar structure. The structural parameters of the chelate were determined as follows: ∠ ONiO = 93.6 ± 1.1°, r_g(Ni-O) = 1.876±0.005A Å, r_g(C-0) = 1.273± 0.007 Å, r_g(C-C_ring) = 1.401 ± 0.010 Å, r_g(C-C_methyl) = 1.504 ± 0.013 Å. The mean amplitudes of vibration and the shrinkage effects were calculated from normal-vibration treatment using the Urey-Bradley force field.