A pentanuclear iron catalyst designed for water oxidation

Design of an inherently-stable water oxidation catalyst

While molecular water-oxidation catalysts are remarkably rapid, oxidative and hydrolytic processes in water can convert their active transition metals to colloidal metal oxides or hydroxides that, while quite reactive, are insoluble or susceptible to precipitation. In response, we propose using oxidatively-inert ligands to harness the metal oxides themselves. This approach is demonstrated by covalently attaching entirely inorganic oxo-donor ligands (polyoxometalates) to 3-nm hematite cores, giving soluble anionic structures, highly resistant to aggregation, yet thermodynamically stable to oxidation and hydrolysis. Using orthoperiodate (at pH 8), and no added photosensitizers, the hematite-core complex catalyzes visible-light driven water oxidation for seven days (7600 turnovers) with no decrease in activity, far exceeding the documented lifetimes of molecular catalysts under turnover conditions in water. As such, a fundamental limitation of molecular complexes is entirely bypassed by using coordination chemistry to harness a transition-metal oxide as the reactive center of an inherently stable, homogeneous water-oxidation catalyst.

A current challenge in the development of molecular water oxidation catalysts is to overcome their inherent susceptibilities to oxidative or hydrolytic degradation under turnover conditions in water. Here, the authors design an inherently-stable water oxidation catalyst using oxidatively-inert ligands to harness a reactive metal oxide.

Mechanism for O-O Bond Formation via Radical Coupling of Metal and Ligand Based Radicals: A New Pathway

Artificial photosynthesis carries promise to deliver abundant clean energy for the needs of a growing population. Deep mechanistic understanding is required to achieve rational design of fast and durable water oxidation catalysts. Here we provided first evidence for a new mechanism of the O-O bond formation via radical coupling of the oxidized metal═oxo of radicaloid character (Ru^IV═O) and ligand based radical ([ligand-NO]^+• cation radical). O-O bond formation is facilitated via spin alignment and takes place via a virtually barrier less pathway inside the single metal complex. In situ reactive intermediate conversion was monitored by mass spectrometry, resonance Raman (RR) and EPR. Computational analysis have shown that the formation of [ligand-NO]^+• happens at a lower overpotential than the formation of the [Ru^V═O(ligand)]³⁺ intermediate. Overall, the presented paradigm for O-O bond formation opens new opportunities for rational catalyst design.

Transformative 3d-4f coordination cluster carriers

The aim of this perspective is to summarise the use of the reported 3d-4f Coordination Clusters (CCs) in catalytic reactions and to demonstrate the potential of this emerging field. The pioneering work of Shibasaki, Matsunaga and others, demonstrated the use of 3d-4f in situ systems to catalyse asymmetric organic transformations. Our recent studies show that well characterised 3d-4f CCs catalyse numerous organic transformations and useful mechanistic aspects of their catalysis can be obtained. Furthermore, we have shown that by manipulation of the metal ion coordination environment; the nature of the 3d and lanthanide ions and the organic periphery of the ligand can all improve the efficacy of a 3d-4f CC catalyst. All in situ formed and well characterized 3d-4f CCs involved in catalysis are discussed.

Nanocomposites Based on CoSe2-Decorated FeSe2 Nanoparticles Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide as High-Performance Electrocatalysts toward Oxygen Evolution Reaction

FeCo-based materials are promising candidates as efficient, affordable, and sustainable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, a composite based on FeSe₂@CoSe₂ particles supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was successfully prepared as an OER catalyst. In the catalyst, the CoSe₂ phase was located on the FeSe₂ surface, forming a large number of exposed heterointerfaces with acidic iron sites because of strong charge interaction between CoSe₂ and FeSe₂. It is believed that the exposed heterointerfaces act as catalytic active sites for OER via a two-site mechanism, manifesting an overpotential as low as 260 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA cm^-2 in 1 M KOH and excellent stability for at least 6 h, which is superior to those of CoSe₂/rGO, FeSe₂/rGO, as well as most of the FeNi- and FeCo-based electrocatalysts reported in recent literatures. It was demonstrated that the most optimal composite electrocatalysts release more Fe species into the electrolyte during the OER process, whereas the releasing of Co species is negligible. When the FeSe₂@CoSe₂/rGO catalysts were loaded on a α-Fe₂O₃ photoanode, the photocurrent density was increased by three times. These results may open up a promising avenue into the design and engineering of highly active and durable catalysts for water oxidation.

Pre-programmed self-assembly of polynuclear clusters

This perspective reviews our recent efforts towards the self-assembly of polynuclear clusters with ditopic and tritopic multidentate ligands HL1 (2-phenyl-4,5-bis{6-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyrid-2-yl}-1H-imidazole) and H2L2 (2,6-bis-[5-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-pyrazole-3-yl]pyridine), both of which are planar and rigid molecules. HL1 was found to be an excellent support for tetranuclear [Fe4] complexes, [FeII4(L1)4](BF4)4 ([FeII4]) and [FeIII2FeII2(L1)4](BF4)6 ([FeIII2FeII2]). The homovalent system was found to exhibit multistep spin crossover (SCO), while the mixed-valence [FeIII2FeII2] complex shows wavelength-dependent tuneable light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST). For H2L2, a variety of polynuclear complexes were obtained through complexation with different transition metal ions, allowing the isolation of rings, grids, and helix structures. The rigidity of the ligand, difference in its coordination sites, and affinity for different metal ions dictates its coordination behaviour. In this paper, we summarise these ligand pre-programmed self-assembled clusters and their diverse physical properties.

Mechanism of Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Mononuclear Iron Complex with a Square Polypyridine Ligand: A DFT Study

The mononuclear [Cl-Fe^III(dpa)-Cl]⁺ (1_Cl) complex containing a square planar tetradentate polypyridine ligand has been reported to catalyze water oxidation in pH = 1 aqueous medium with ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as a chemical oxidant. The reaction mechanism of the oxygen evolution driven by this catalyst was investigated by means of density functional calculations. The results showed that one chloride ligand of 1_Cl has to exchange with a water molecule to generate 1, [Cl-Fe^III(dpa)-OH₂]²⁺, as the starting species of the catalytic cycle. The initial one-electron oxidation of 1 is coupled with the release of two protons, generating [Cl-Fe^IV(dpa)═O]⁺ (2). Another one-electron transfer from 2 leads to the formation of an Fe^V═O complex [Cl-Fe^V(dpa)═O]²⁺ (3), which triggers the critical O-O bond formation. The electronic structure of 3 was found to be very similar to that of the high-valent heme-iron center of P450 enzymes, termed Compound I, in which a π-cation radical ligand is believed to support a formal iron(IV)-oxo core. More importantly, 3 and Compound I share the same tendency toward electrophilic reactions. Two competing pathways were suggested for the O-O bond formation based on the present calculations. One is the nitrate nucleophilic attack on the iron(V)-oxo moiety with a total barrier of 12.3 kcal mol^-1. In this case, nitrate functions as a co-catalyst for the dioxygen formation. The other is the water nucleophilic attack on iron(V)-oxo with a greater barrier of 16.5 kcal mol^-1. In addition, ligand degradation via methyl hydrogen abstraction was found to have a barrier similar to that of the O-O bond formation, while the aromatic carbon hydroxylation has a higher barrier.

Electrical Conductivity of Copper Hexamers Tuned by their Ground-State Valences

A new design concept has been realized for the construction of molecular conductors, whereby the building unit contains a core reservoir of carriers made up of metal ions with controllable valence states and shelled by flat organic ligands having an extended π-system to promote supramolecular electronic communication. Therefore, reacting the conjugated multidentate ligand 5,5'-pyridyl-3,3'-bi-1 H-pyrazole with different copper salts solvothermally led to three interesting hexameric salts having different ground-state valences, [Cu^II₆(L)₄(NO₃)(CH₃OH)₂](NO₃)₃·4CH₃OH, [(CH₃)₂NH₂][Cu^ICu^II₅(L)₄](SO₄)₂·4H₂O, and [Cu^I₂Cu^II₄(L)₄](NO₃)₂·2CH₃OH. The monovalent Cu^II₆ salt is an insulator, but the mixed-valent Cu^II₅-Cu^I and Cu^II₄-Cu^I₂ salts are semiconductors. Magnetic exchange interactions up to J_NN = -158 cm^-1 dominate the susceptibilities and lead to ground-state spin S_T = 1 (Cu^II₆), 1/2 (Cu^II₅-Cu^I), and 0 (Cu^II₄-Cu^I₂) at 40 K. Cyclic voltammetry shows the stepwise one-electron oxidation-reduction through all the possible valence states. The theoretical calculations of the electronic and band structures of the three compounds substantiate the experimentally observed physical properties.

Understanding Two Different Structures in the Dark Stable State of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II: Applicability of the Jahn-Teller Deformation Formula

Tanaka et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2017, 139, 1718) recently reported the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII) by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using extremely low X-ray doses of 0.03 and 0.12 MGy. They observed two different 3D structures of the CaMn4O5 cluster with different hydrogen-bonding interactions in the S1 state of OEC keeping the surrounding polypeptide frameworks of PSII the same. Our Jahn-Teller (JT) deformation formula based on large-scale quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) was applied for these low-dose XRD structures, elucidating important roles of JT effects of the MnIII ion for subtle geometric distortions of the CaMn4O5 cluster in OEC of PSII. The JT deformation formula revealed the similarity between the low-dose XRD and damage-free serial femtosecond X-ray diffraction (SFX) structures of the CaMn4O5 cluster in the dark stable state. The extremely low-dose XRD structures were not damaged by X-ray irradiation. Implications of the present results are discussed in relation to recent SFX results and a blue print for the design of artificial photocatalysts for water oxidation.

First principles study of the Mn-doping effect on the physical and chemical properties of mullite-family Al2SiO5

Transition metal (TM) modification is a common strategy for converting an earth-abundant mineral into a cost-effective catalyst for industrial applications. Among a variety of minerals, Al₂SiO₅, which has three phases, andalusite, sillimanite and kyanite, is emerging as a promising candidate for new catalyst development. In this paper, we use Mn to demonstrate the rationale of 3d TM doping at the Al sites in each of these three phases through first-principles calculations and the cluster expansion method. The results of cluster expansion show that Mn has a strong site preference for the six-coordinated Al octahedral chains in the andalusite and sillimanite phases, while distributing randomly in the kyanite phase. Moreover, Mn can only replace Al in sillimanite and kyanite in low concentrations; however, higher concentrations of Mn can replace Al in andalusite. We found that the concentration sensitivity is due to the Jahn-Teller distortion and 3d orbital splitting. This finding can also explain the low doping concentrations of other 3d TMs (Fe, Cr and V) in Al₂SiO₅ compounds. Based on the calculated Helmholtz free energy, we constructed a (Mn_xAl_1-x)AlSiO₅ temperature-composite phase diagram, which explains the physical mechanisms behind the results for 3d transition metal doping and phase transitions in Al₂SiO₅. This work could shed light on the related physics, chemistry, and geoscience of (Mn_xAl_1-x)AlSiO₅, and more importantly, a design rationale for the engineering of cheap catalysts.

Catalytic Activity of an Iron-Based Water Oxidation Catalyst: Substrate Effects of Graphitic Electrodes

The synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical studies of the dinuclear complex [(MeOH)Fe(Hbbpya)-μ-O-(Hbbpya)Fe(MeOH)](OTf)₄ (1) (with Hbbpya = N,N-bis(2,2′-bipyrid-6-yl)amine) are described. With the help of online electrochemical mass spectrometry, the complex is demonstrated to be active as a water oxidation catalyst. Comparing the results obtained for different electrode materials shows a clear substrate influence of the electrode, as the complex shows a significantly lower catalytic overpotential on graphitic working electrodes in comparison to other electrode materials. Cyclic voltammetry experiments provide evidence that the structure of complex 1 undergoes reversible changes under high-potential conditions, regenerating the original structure of complex 1 upon returning to lower potentials. Results from electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance experiments rule out that catalysis proceeds via deposition of catalytically active material on the electrode surface.

Mimicking the Key Functions of Photosystem II in Artificial Photosynthesis for Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting

It has been anticipated that learning from nature photosynthesis is a rational and effective way to develop artificial photosynthesis system, but it is still a great challenge. Here, we assembled a photoelectrocatalytic system by mimicking the functions of photosystem II (PSII) with BiVO₄ semiconductor as a light harvester protected by a layered double hydroxide (NiFeLDH) as a hole storage layer, a partially oxidized graphene (pGO) as biomimetic tyrosine for charge transfer, and molecular Co cubane as oxygen evolution complex. The integrated system exhibited an unprecedentedly low onset potential (0.17 V) and a high photocurrent (4.45 mA cm^-2), with a 2.0% solar to hydrogen efficiency. Spectroscopic studies revealed that this photoelectrocatalytic system exhibited superiority in charge separation and transfer by benefiting from mimicking the key functions of PSII. The success of the biomimetic strategy opened up new ways for the rational design and assembly of artificial photosynthesis systems for efficient solar-to-fuel conversion.

Redox-Active Ligand Assisted Multielectron Catalysis: A Case of CoIII Complex as Water Oxidation Catalyst

Water oxidation is the key step in both natural and artificial photosynthesis to capture solar energy for fuel production. The design of highly efficient and stable molecular catalysts for water oxidation based on nonprecious metals is still a great challenge. In this article, the electrocatalytic oxidation of water by Na[(L^4-)Co^III], where L is a substituted tetraamido macrocyclic ligand, was investigated in aqueous solution (pH 7.0). We found that Na[(L^4-)Co^III] is a stable and efficient homogeneous catalyst for electrocatalytic water oxidation with 380 mV onset overpotential in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). Both ligand- and metal-centered redox features are involved in the catalytic cycle. In this cycle, Na[(L^4-)Co^III] was first oxidized to [(L^2-)Co^IIIOH] via a ligand-centered proton-coupled electron transfer process in the presence of water. After further losing an electron and a proton, the resting state, [(L^2-)Co^IIIOH], was converted to [(L^2-)Co^IV═O]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-311++G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory confirmed the proposed catalytic cycle. According to both experimental and DFT results, phosphate-assisted water nucleophilic attack to [(L^2-)Co^IV═O] played a key role in O-O bond formation.

Efficient molecular ruthenium catalysts containing anionic ligands for water oxidation

Two new mononuclear Ru complexes Ru^II(bipa)(pic)₃ (1; H₂bipa = 6-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)picolinic acid, pic = 4-picoline) and Ru^II(pbic)(pic)₃ (2; H₂pbic = 2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-7-carboxylic acid, pic = 4-picoline) based on anionic ligands were successfully synthesized, and characterized using NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. These catalysts showed high activities and stabilities in water oxidation in homogeneous systems with a high turnover number of 2100 and a turnover frequency of 0.21 s^-1 for complex 1. The O-O band formation mechanism involved water nucleophilic attack. An active catalytic intermediate, i.e., Ru^IV-OH, was detected using high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Electrocatalytic water oxidation using a chair-like tetranuclear copper(ii) complex in a neutral aqueous solution

The development of viable molecular water oxidation catalysts is an important issue in the conversion of electricity or solar fuel into chemical fuels via water splitting, and copper complexes have become promising candidates for catalyzing water oxidation because of their low cost, well-defined redox properties and relatively high reactivity. Herein, we describe the first tetranuclear Cu(ii)-based water oxidation catalyst: [Cu4(bpy)4(μ2-OH)2(μ3-OH)2(H2O)2](2+). The complex comprises a chair-like Cu4O4 core with aqua and bridging μ-hydroxo ligands, and the multinuclear core is expected to be advantageous for promoting multi-electron transfer. In pH 7.0 phosphate buffer, the complex shows as being hydrolytically stable and a relatively low overpotential of ca. 730 mV is obtained according to a cyclic voltammetry experiment. Bulk electrolysis measurements at 1.80 V vs. a normal hydrogen electrode provided a stable current density of 0.78 mA cm(-2) and the current persists for at least 10 h. A Faradaic efficiency of nearly 98% is achieved. Importantly, the electrochemical data support that this tetranuclear complex works as a robust homogeneous water oxidation catalyst.

Nonanuclear Ni(ii) complexes in a [1-7-1] formation derived from asymmetric multidentate ligands: magnetic and electrochemical properties

Asymmetric multidentate ligands H2Ln formed unique nonanuclear Ni(ii) complexes, [Ni₉(Ln)₆(OH)₆(H₂O)₆] via self-assembly. A corner-sharing tetrahedron-type structure, [Ni₇(μ₃-OH)₆]⁸⁺, and terminal mononuclear units constitute the nonanuclear structure in a [1-7-1] formation.

Vanadyl sulfates: molecular structure, magnetism and electrochemical activity

Use of different calixarenes with vanadyl sulfate/base under N₂ affords different polyoxovanadates. Molecular structures, electrochemical activity and magnetism are reported.

Influence of the backbone of N5-pentadentate ligands on the catalytic performance of Ni(ii) complexes for electrochemical water oxidation in neutral aqueous solutions

A positive influence of the rigid backbone of N₅-chelating ligands was demonstrated on the activity of nickel catalysts for electrochemical water oxidation.

Electrodeposited-film electrodes derived from a precursor dinitrosyl iron complex for electrocatalytic water splitting

In artificial photosynthesis, water splitting plays an important role for the conversion and storage of renewable energy sources.

Cu(ii) coordination polymers with nitrogen catenation ligands for efficient photocatalytic water oxidation

Cu(ii) coordination polymers with nitrogen catenation ligands can photocatalyze water oxidation with the highest TOF (1.68 s⁻¹) among copper-based photocatalysts.

Quantum Chemical Modeling of Homogeneous Water Oxidation Catalysis

The design of efficient and robust water oxidation catalysts has proven challenging in the development of artificial photosynthetic systems for solar energy harnessing and storage. Tremendous progress has been made in the development of homogeneous transition-metal complexes capable of mediating water oxidation. To improve the efficiency of the catalyst and to design new catalysts, a detailed mechanistic understanding is necessary. Quantum chemical modeling calculations have been successfully used to complement the experimental techniques to suggest a catalytic mechanism and identify all stationary points, including transition states for both O-O bond formation and O₂ release. In this review, recent progress in the applications of quantum chemical methods for the modeling of homogeneous water oxidation catalysis, covering various transition metals, including manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, and iridium, is discussed.

Natural and Artificial Mn4 Ca Cluster for the Water Splitting Reaction

The oxygen-evolving center (OEC) in photosystem II (PSII) is a unique biological catalyst that splits water into electrons, protons, and O₂ by using solar energy. Recent crystallographic studies have revealed that the structure of the OEC is an asymmetric Mn₄ Ca cluster, which provides a blueprint to develop man-made water-splitting catalysts for artificial photosynthesis. Although it is a great challenge to mimic the whole structure and function of the OEC in the laboratory, significant advances have recently been achieved. In this Minireview, recent progress on mimicking the natural OEC is discussed. New strategies are suggested to construct more stable and efficient new generation of catalytic materials for the water splitting reaction based on the artificial Mn₄ Ca cluster in the future.

Benchmarking Water Oxidation Catalysts Based on Iridium Complexes: Clues and Doubts on the Nature of Active Species

Water oxidation (WO) is a central reaction in the photo- and electro-synthesis of fuels. Iridium complexes have been successfully exploited as water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) with remarkable performances. Herein, we report a systematic study aimed at benchmarking well-known Ir WOCs, when NaIO₄ is used to drive the reaction. In particular, the following complexes were studied: cis-[Ir(ppy)₂ (H₂ O)₂ ]OTf (ppy=2-phenylpyridine) (1), [Cp*Ir(H₂ O)₃ ]NO₃ (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethyl-cyclopentadienyl anion) (2), [Cp*Ir(bzpy)Cl] (bzpy=2-benzoylpyridine) (3), [Cp*IrCl₂ (Me₂ -NHC)] (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) (4), [Cp*Ir(pyalk)Cl] (pyalk=2-pyridine-isopropanoate) (5), [Cp*Ir(pic)NO₃ ] (pic=2-pyridine-carboxylate) (6), [Cp*Ir{(P(O)(OH)₂ }₃ ]Na (7), and mer-[IrCl₃ (pic)(HOMe)]K (8). Their reactivity was compared with that of IrCl₃ ⋅n H₂ O (9) and [Ir(OH)₆ ]^2- (10). Most measurements were performed in phosphate buffer (0.2 m), in which 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 showed very high activity (yield close to 100 %, turnover frequency up to 554 min^-1 with 10, the highest ever observed for a WO-driven by NaIO₄ ). The found order of activity is: 10>2≈4>6>5>7>1>9>3>8. Clues concerning the molecular nature of the active species were obtained, whereas its exact nature remains doubtfully.

Improvement of Electrochemical Water Oxidation by Fine-Tuning the Structure of Tetradentate N4 Ligands of Molecular Copper Catalysts

Two copper complexes, [(L1)Cu(OH₂ )](BF₄ )₂ [1; L1=N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane] and [(L2)Cu(OH₂ )](BF₄ )₂ [2, L2=2,7-bis(2-pyridyl)-3,6-diaza-2,6-octadiene], were prepared as molecular water oxidation catalysts. Complex 1 displayed an overpotential (η) of 1.07 V at 1 mA cm^-2 and an observed rate constant (k_obs ) of 13.5 s^-1 at η 1.0 V in pH 9.0 phosphate buffer solution, whereas 2 exhibited a significantly smaller η (0.70 V) to reach 1 mA cm^-2 and a higher k_obs (50.4 s^-1 ) than 1 under identical test conditions. Additionally, 2 displayed better stability than 1 in controlled potential electrolysis experiments with a faradaic efficiency of 94 % for O₂ evolution at 1.58 V, when a casing tube was used for the Pt cathode. A possible mechanism for 1- and 2-catalyzed O₂ evolution reactions is discussed based on the experimental evidence. These comparative results indicate that fine-tuning the structures of tetradentate N₄ ligands can bring about significant change in the performance of copper complexes for electrochemical water oxidation.

From Enzymes to Functional Materials-Towards Activation of Small Molecules

The design of non-noble metal-containing heterogeneous catalysts for the activation of small molecules is of utmost importance for our society. While nature possesses very sophisticated machineries to perform such conversions, rationally designed catalytic materials are rare. Herein, we aim to raise the awareness of the overall common design and working principles of catalysts incorporating aspects of biology, chemistry, and material sciences.

Chasing Weak Forces: Hierarchically Assembled Helicates as a Probe for the Evaluation of the Energetics of Weak Interactions

London dispersion forces are the weakest interactions between molecules. Because of this, their influence on chemical processes is often low, but can definitely not be ignored, and even becomes important in cases of molecules with large contact surfaces. Hierarchically assembled dinuclear titanium(IV) helicates represent a rare example in which the direct observation of London dispersion forces is possible in solution even in the presence of strong cohesive solvent effects. Hereby, the dispersion forces do not unlimitedly support the formation of the dimeric complexes. Although they have some favorable enthalpic contribution to the dimerization of the monomeric complex units, large flexible substituents become conformationally restricted by the interactions leading to an entropic disadvantage. The dimeric helicates are entropically destabilized.

Isolation and characterization of a tetranuclear Pt-FeFe-Pt intermediate en route to the trinuclear Pt-Fe-Pt cluster

An intermediate compound, [{PtFe(piam)₂(NH₃)₂(OCH₃)}₂(μ-OCH₃)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1, piam = pivalamidate), in the synthetic process to form [Pt₂Fe(piam)₄(NH₃)₄](ClO₄)₃ (2) by mixing cis-[Pt(piam)₂(NH₃)₂]·2H₂O and iron sources was successfully isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In 1, the platinum and iron atoms are bridged by two piam ligands to afford a dinuclear Pt-Fe structure and are further linked to each other by methoxide bridges at the equatorial positions of iron atoms to form a tetranuclear Pt-FeFe-Pt complex. The Pt-Fe distances in 1 are 3.0010(16) and 2.9883(17) Å, which are significantly longer than those in 2 (2.5566(15) and 2.5718(15) Å). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that the oxidation states are Pt(+2)-Fe(+3)Fe(+3)-Pt(+2) (1) and Pt(+2)-Fe(+3)-Pt(+2) (2) with high-spin (S = 5/2) configurations in iron atoms. The magnetic susceptibility of 1 has a χT value of 5.83 cm³ mol^-1 K per Pt(+2)-Fe(+3)Fe(+3)-Pt(+2) unit at 300 K, which decreases down to 0.04 cm³ mol^-1 K at 7 K due to antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -28 cm^-1) of the two Fe(+3) centers. Compound 2 maintains its trinuclear structure in MeCN, exhibiting reversible one-electron reduction and oxidation, Pt(+2)-Fe(+2)-Pt(+2) ↔ Pt(+2)-Fe(+3)-Pt(+2), at E_1/2 = -0.19 V (vs. Fc/Fc⁺). However, in MeOH, compound 2 is decomposed into a dinuclear structure of Pt-Fe involving an equilibrium between 1 and 2.