The X-ray structure of bis-2,2-dimethyl-6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluorooctane-3,5-dionatolead(II): an eight-coordinate dimer with bridging fluorine atoms

The title complex, a useful precursor for a range of lead oxides, has an unusual structure involving dimeric, eight-coordinate lead units bridged by the fluorine atoms of the ligand; the compound is unusually volatile which may in part be explained by the structure.