Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2011
The gas phase chemistry of CuI(hexafluroacetylacetonateXvinyltrimethylsilane),Cu(hfac)(vtms), was investigated using molecular beam techniques. Mass spectrometric and infrared spectroscopic data clearly show that Cu(hfac)2 is produced at nozzle temperatures in excess of 500 K. This result suggests that Cu(hfac)(vtms) undergoes a thermally induced disproportionation reaction in the gas phase to yield CuII (hfac)2, vtms, and atomic copper. As a consequence, copper CVD from CuIβdiketonates is deprived of its inherent selectivity.