The mass spectra of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,4-pentanedione and its Al(III), Cr(III), Fe(III), Mn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes

The compounds 1,1,1-trichloro-2,4-pentanedione, Cu(II)tca₂, Co(II)tca₂, Mn(II)tca₂, Al(III)tca₃, Cr(III)tca₃ and Fe(III)tca₃ (tca?1,1,1-trichloro-2,4-pentanedionato, CCl₃COCHCOCH₃]^?) have been prepared and their mass spectra have been obtained. The mass spectral results have been compared with findings for comparable fluorinated and nonhalogenated compounds. Comparisons are made in terms of internal redox reactions and hard and soft acid base theory. Rearrangement of chloride from ligand to metal accompanied by the elimination of CO or other neutral even electron fragments emerges as an important reaction for the ions of these compounds. While the internal redox reactions characteristic of all previous β-diketonate complex mass spectra still occur, their importance appears reduced to some degree by the facility of the chlorine rearrangement.