The chemistry of volatile β-diketonates and their application in the synthesis of high-temperature superconducting thin films

We shall examine the fundamental aspects of the chemistry of volatile β-diketonates: the dependence of their volatility on the coordination unsaturation of the complexes, on the structure of the ligands, and on the nature of the metales. The gas-phase thermal stability of the β-diketonates and the structural changes which take place when these compounds are transferred to the gas phase are discussed. The most important results on the synthesis of Y–Ba–Cu–O, Bi–Sr–Ca–Cu–O, and Tl–Ba–Ca–Cu–O by chemical vapour deposition from the gas phase are reported. The bibliography includes 106 references.