This invention relates to an improved process for preparing halogenated metal chelates of beta-dicarbonyl compounds, particularly the tris-brominated acetylacetonates. The process comprises passing elemental halogen through a solution comprising the metal chelate, an inert solvent in which the metal chelate has a solubility of at least 0.5 grams per 100 grams solvent and the halogenated product has a solubility of less than 1 gram per 100 grams solvent and a halogenated Lewis acid at a temperature from about 0.degree.-60.degree. C. thereby forming a halogenated metal chelate precipitate and then recovering the precipitate.