Molecular structure design approach to perspective single-source precursors of titanate materials. Synthesis, X-ray single crystal and mass-spectrometric study of M2Ti2(acac)4(OMe)8, M=Mg, Co

Interaction of divalent metal acetylacetonates, M(acac)2, M=Mg, Co, with titanium methoxide, Ti(OMe)4, in 1:1 ratio in toluene provides with practically quantitative yield a new family of heterometallic alkoxide complexes with general composition M2Ti2(acac)4(OMe)8, M=Mg (1), Co (2). The structure of these nearly spherically shaped molecules contains both metals in octahedral coordination, one acac-ligand being attached to each metal atom. Both 1 and 2 are highly soluble in hydrocarbon solvents and display considerable volatility with distinct fragmentation patterns starting from molecular ions in the mass-spectra, which makes them perspective precursors of titanate materials in sol–gel and MOCVD techniques.