Preparation of powders and films of NiAl2O4 spinel from a structurally characterized molecular precursor, NiAl2(acac)4(OiPr)4

Interaction of Ni(acac)(2) with 2 eq. of Al((OPr)-Pr-i)(3) in toluene on reflux with subsequent modification with 2 eq. of acetylacetone offers with quantitative yields a new heterometallic complex, NiAl2(acac)(4)((OPr)-Pr-i)(4) (1), characterized by X-ray single crystal study and variety of spectroscopic techniques. Uniform NiAl2O4-coatings were obtained on Al2O3 substrates by dip-coating from toluene solutions of 1 with subsequent thermal treatment and characterized by X-ray powder, SEM and AFM studies. Powder samples were obtained by hydrolysis of solutions of 1 in the moist air and characterized by TG and X-ray powder data.