Chemical Properties
Light yellow powder
Uses
Starting material for zirconium metallomesogens: zirconium tetrakis-β-diketonate liquid crystals.
Uses
Zirconium(IV) 2,4-pentanedionate is used as a cross-linking agent for oxygen-containing polymers. It is used as a catalyst in organic synthesis for the nitration of o-nitrotoluene using a dinitrogen pentoxide to get 2,4-dinitrotoluenes and 2,6-dinitrotoluenes.
Safety Profile
Poison by intraperitoneal route. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. Used as a cross-linking agent for oxygen-containing polymers. See also ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS
Purification Methods
The zirconium complex crystallises from hot 95% EtOH (m 190-191o) or pet ether and sublimes in vacuo at 140o with slight decomposition. The decahydrate effloresces in air and dehydrates in a 0.1mm vacuum. Its solubility in 1L at 20o is 30g in CS2, 47g in CCl4, 44g in ethylene dibromide, 56g in acetonylacetone and 200g in *C6H6. [Young & Arch Inorg Synth II 122 1964, Beilstein 1 H 782, 1 II 835, 1 III 3121, 1 IV 3672.]
