Mass spectrometric behaviour of alkali and alkaline earths acetylacetonates

EI spectra of acetylacetone, alkali acetylacetonates and acetylacetonates of alkaline earths of formulae M(I)(acac) and M(II)(acac)2 (where M(I)=LI, Na, K, Rb, Cs, M(II)=Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, acac= acetylacetonate ligand) were ibtained using mass spectrometry. Ligand-ions were observed in each spectrum. Metal cations were present only for the elements of group I. The detection of polymetric species of general formula [M(x)(acac)(y)](+) supports the conclusion, that polymeric species of acetylacetonates of group I and II are commonly present in the gas phase.