A Mass Spectrometric Study of the Supramolecular Structure of Praseodymium Tris(Pivaloyltrifluoroacetone)

A mass spectrometric study of praseodymium tris(pivaloyltrifluoroacetone) is reported. The mass spectrum of the compound changes as a result of oligomerization as compared to the spectra of metal tris(β- diketonates). The mass spectrum demonstrates signals of mono-, bis-, and triscations with partially destructed ligands and, in some cases, a fluorine atom is attached to praseodymium. The mass spectrum contains polynuclear cations, which appear mainly as dimers. Tetramers of praseodymium tris(pivaloyltrifluoroacetone) are also detected. The obtained data are used to elaborate procedures for the destruction of praseodymium tris (pivaloyltrifluoroacetone) using electron ionization.