Coordinating properties of the anionic ligand (MeCO)(2)C(-)C(X)Me (X = O or NH) toward transition metal(II) centers

The exchange reaction between transition metal(II) acetates and the protic nucleophiles 3-(1-aminoethylidene) pentane-2,4-dione (Hampd) or 3-acetylpentane-2,4-dione (Hacpd) affords the corresponding [M(ampd)(2)] (M = Ni (1), Pd (2)) or [M(acpd)(2)] (M = Mn (5), Fe (6), Ni (7), Cu (8), Pd (9)) complexes in fair to good yields. The reaction is performed in ethanol at room temperature, with addition of sodium carbonate in some cases. This last new synthetic procedure is applied for those complexes which easily undergo an extensive deacylation process. The factors determining the success of the exchange reaction and the resulting N, O or O, O coordination are fully discussed.