This white solid is the main hafnium complex of acetylacetonate.

The complex has a square antiprismatic geometry with eight nearly equivalent Hf-O bonds.

It is prepared from hafnium tetrachloride and acetylacetone, and base.

Zr(acac)4 is very similar in structure and properties.

[2] Along with titanium tetrabutoxide (TBT), hafnium acetylacetonate serves as a catalyst for the production of poly(butylene terephthalate).