Spontaneous reduction of a low-spin Fe(III) complex of a neutral pentadentate N(5) Schiff base ligand to the corresponding Fe(II) species in acetonitrile

A Parent Iron Amido Complex in Catalysis of Ammonia Oxidation

Parent amido complexes are crucial intermediates in ammonia-based transformations. We report a well-defined ferric ammine system [Cp*Fe(1,2-Ph₂PC₆H₄NH)(NH₃)]⁺ ([1-NH₃]⁺), which processes electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation to N₂ and H₂ at a mild potential. Through establishing elementary e^-/H⁺ conversions with the ferric ammine, a formal Fe(IV)-amido species, [1-NH₂]⁺, together with its conjugated Lewis acid, [1-NH₃]²⁺, was isolated and structurally characterized for the first time. Mechanism studies indicated that further oxidation of [1-NH₂]⁺ induces the reaction of the parent amido unit with NH₃. The formation of hydrazine is realized by the non-innocent nature of the phenylamido ligand that facilitates the concerted transfer of one proton and two electrons.

Photosynthesis of a Dihydroimidazopyridine Chelate Shines Light on the Reactions of a Photoactivated Iron(III) Complex with O2

The high-spin (S = ⁵/₂) meridional diastereoisomer of [Fe^III(tpena)]²⁺ (tpena = N,N,N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylendiamine-N'-acetate), mer-[Fe(tpena)]²⁺, undergoes photolytic CO₂ release to produce an iron(II) intermediate of a radical dihydroimidazopyridine ligand (L^•). The structure of this unprecedented transient iron(II)(L^•) complex is supported by UV-vis and Mössbauer spectroscopies, DFT calculations, as well as the X-ray structural characterization of an μ-oxo iron(III) complex of the oxidized derivative of L^•, namely, [Fe^III₂O(Cl)₂(L⁺)₂](ClO₄)₄(MeCN)₂ (L⁺ = 2-(2-(bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)ethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-4-ium). [Fe^III₂O(Cl)₂(L⁺)₂]⁴⁺ is obtained only in the absence of O₂. Under aerobic conditions, O₂ will intercept the iron(II)(L^•) complex to form a putative Fe(III)-alkylperoxide complex which cascades to an iron(II) complex of SBPy3 (SBPy3 = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-aldimine). Thus, through different oxidative pathways, the unknown ligand L⁺ or SBPy3 forms by loss of a one-carbon-atom or a two-carbon-atom unit, respectively, from the glycyl arm of tpena. Acceleration of the photodecarboxylation step is achieved by addition of thiocyanate because of transient formation of a more photoreactive NCS^- adduct of [Fe(tpena)]²⁺. This has allowed for kinetic observation of the reaction of [Fe^II(L^•)]²⁺ with O₂ which is, unexpectedly, promoted also by light. We propose that this corresponds to the energy needed for the conversion of the ring-closed radical ligand L^• to a ring-opened tautomer to allow for O₂ insertion between the C and Fe atoms of the iron(II) complex.

Interplay Between Steric and Electronic Effects: A Joint Spectroscopy and Computational Study of Nonheme Iron(IV)-Oxo Complexes

Iron is an essential element in nonheme enzymes that plays a crucial role in many vital oxidative transformations and metabolic reactions in the human body. Many of those reactions are regio- and stereospecific and it is believed that the selectivity is guided by second-coordination sphere effects in the protein. Here, results are shown of a few engineered biomimetic ligand frameworks based on the N4Py (N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine) scaffold and the second-coordination sphere effects are studied. For the first time, selective substitutions in the ligand framework have been shown to tune the catalytic properties of the iron(IV)-oxo complexes by regulating the steric and electronic factors. In particular, a better positioning of the oxidant and substrate in the rate-determining transition state lowers the reaction barriers. Therefore, an optimum balance between steric and electronic factors mediates the ideal positioning of oxidant and substrate in the rate-determining transition state that affects the reactivity of high-valent reaction intermediates.

Photoinduced O2-Dependent Stepwise Oxidative Deglycination of a Nonheme Iron(III) Complex

The iron(III) complex [Fe(tpena)]²⁺ (tpena = N, N, N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylendiamine- N'-acetate) undergoes irreversible O₂-dependent N-demethylcarboxylation to afford [Fe^II(SBPy3)(MeCN)]²⁺ (SBPy3 = N, N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine- N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-aldimine), when irradiated with near-UV light. The loss of a mass equivalent to the glycyl group in a process involving consecutive C-C and C-N cleavages is documented by the measurement of the sequential production of CO₂ and formaldehyde, respectively. Time-resolved UV-vis absorption, Mössbauer, EPR, and Raman spectroscopy have allowed the spectroscopic characterization of two iron-based intermediates along the pathway. The first of these, proposed to be a low-spin iron(II)-radical ligand complex, reacts with O₂ in the rate-determining step to produce a putative alkylperoxide complex. DFT calculations suggest that this evolves into an Fe(IV)-oxo species, which can abstract a hydrogen atom from a cis methylene group of the ligand to give the second spectroscopically identified intermediate, a high-spin iron(III)-hydroxide of the product oxidized ligand, [Fe^III(OH)(SBPy₃)]²⁺. Reduction and exchange of the cohydroxo/water ligand produces the crystallographically characterized products [Fe^II(SBPy3)(X)]^2+/3+, X = MeCN, [Zn(tpena)]⁺.

Synthesis of spherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles from the thermal decomposition of iron (III) nano-structure complex: DFT studies and evaluation of the biological activity

A novel Fe(III) Schiff base complex of the [FeL₂(NO₃)₂]NO₃ type where L = 2-((pyridin-4-yl)methyleneamino)-3-aminomaleonitrile was synthesized using the reflux and sonochemical methods and their antibacterial and antifungal activity were evaluated. The nanoparticles of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) were obtained from the iron nano-structure complex as a precursor after calcination at 600 ˚C for 3 h. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The results of SEM showed that the morphology of iron nano-structure complex was rod-like while the morphology of the Fe₂O₃ nano powder was spherical. The results of the biological studies indicated that the iron nano-structure complex showed a stronger antibacterial and antifungal efficiency than its bulk complex. Finally, the empirical geometrical parameters of complexes revealed a good agreement with calculated ones at DFT-B3LYP level.

Nitric oxide (NO) reactivity studies on mononuclear iron(ii) complexes supported by a tetradentate Schiff base ligand

Mononuclear iron(ii) complexes were synthesised and characterized from tetradentate ligands. The reactivity of NO afforded ligand nitrated iron(ii) complex along with the in situ formation of an unstable nitrosylated iron complex which was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy.

Nonheme Fe(IV) Oxo Complexes of Two New Pentadentate Ligands and Their Hydrogen-Atom and Oxygen-Atom Transfer Reactions

Two new pentadentate {N5} donor ligands based on the N4Py (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine) framework have been synthesized, viz. [N-(1-methyl-2-benzimidazolyl)methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)methyl-N-(bis-2-pyridyl methyl)amine] (L(1)) and [N-bis(1-methyl-2-benzimidazolyl)methyl-N-(bis-2-pyridylmethyl)amine] (L(2)), where one or two pyridyl arms of N4Py have been replaced by corresponding (N-methyl)benzimidazolyl-containing arms. The complexes [Fe(II)(CH3CN)(L)](2+) (L = L(1) (1); L(2) (2)) were synthesized, and reaction of these ferrous complexes with iodosylbenzene led to the formation of the ferryl complexes [Fe(IV)(O)(L)](2+) (L = L(1) (3); L(2) (4)), which were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Complexes 3 and 4 are relatively stable with half-lives at room temperature of 40 h (L = L(1)) and 2.5 h (L = L(2)). The redox potentials of 1 and 2, as well as the visible spectra of 3 and 4, indicate that the ligand field weakens as ligand pyridyl substituents are progressively substituted by (N-methyl)benzimidazolyl moieties. The reactivities of 3 and 4 in hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) and oxygen-atom transfer (OAT) reactions show that both complexes exhibit enhanced reactivities when compared to the analogous N4Py complex ([Fe(IV)(O)(N4Py)](2+)), and that the normalized HAT rates increase by approximately 1 order of magnitude for each replacement of a pyridyl moiety; i.e., [Fe(IV)(O)(L(2))](2+) exhibits the highest rates. The second-order HAT rate constants can be directly related to the substrate C-H bond dissociation energies. Computational modeling of the HAT reactions indicates that the reaction proceeds via a high spin transition state.

2,2'-Dihydroxy-N,N'-(ethane-1,2-di-yl)di-benzamide

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(16)H(16)N(2)O(4), contains one half-mol-ecule, the whole mol-ecule being generated by an inversion center located at the mid-point of the C-C bond of the central ethane group. An intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond forms an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating infinite chains along [1-10].

Designed iron carbonyls as carbon monoxide (CO) releasing molecules: rapid CO release and delivery to myoglobin in aqueous buffer, and vasorelaxation of mouse aorta

The physiological roles of CO in neurotransmission, vasorelaxation, and cytoprotective activities have raised interest in the design and syntheses of CO-releasing materials (CORMs) that could be employed to modulate such biological pathways. Three iron-based CORMs, namely, [(PaPy(3))Fe(CO)](ClO(4)) (1), [(SBPy(3))Fe(CO)](BF(4))(2) (2), and [(Tpmen)Fe(CO)](ClO(4))(2) (3), derived from designed polypyridyl ligands have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In these three Fe(II) carbonyls, the CO is trans to a carboxamido-N (in 1), an imine-N (in 2), and a tertiary amine-N (in 3), respectively. This structural feature has been correlated to the strength of the Fe-CO bond. The CO-releasing properties of all three carbonyls have been studied in various solvents under different experimental conditions. Rapid release of CO is observed with 2 and 3 upon dissolution in both aqueous and nonaqueous media in the presence and absence of dioxygen. With 1, CO release is observed only under aerobic conditions, and the final product is an oxo-bridged diiron species while with 2 and 3, the solvent bound [(L)Fe(CO)](2+) (where L = SBPy(3) or Tpmen) results upon loss of CO under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The apparent rates of CO loss by these CORMs are comparable to other CORMs such as [Ru(glycine)(CO)(3)Cl] reported recently. Facile delivery of CO to reduced myoglobin has been observed with both 2 and 3. In tissue bath experiments, 2 and 3 exhibit rapid vasorelaxation of mouse aorta muscle rings. Although the relaxation effect is not inhibited by the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ, significant inhibition is observed with the BK(Ca) channel blocker iberiotoxin.

Syntheses, structures, and photochemistry of manganese nitrosyls derived from designed Schiff base ligands: potential NO donors that can be activated by near-infrared light

Two manganese nitrosyls, namely, [Mn(SBPy(3))(NO)](ClO(4))(2) (1) and [Mn(SBPy(2)Q)(NO)](ClO(4))(2) (2), have been synthesized by using designed pentadentate Schiff base ligands N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-aldimine (SBPy(3)) and N,N-bis(2-pyridyl methyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-quinoline-2-aldimine (SBPy(2)Q). Reaction of NO(g) with [Mn(SBPy(3))(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2) and [Mn(SBPy(2)Q)(EtOH)](ClO(4))(2) in MeCN affords 1 and 2, respectively, in good yields. Narrow-width peaks in the (1)H NMR spectra and strong nu(NO) at 1773 cm(-1) (of 1) and 1759 cm(-1) (of 2) confirm a strongly coupled {low-spin Mn(II)-NO*}formulation for both these {Mn-NO}(6) nitrosyls. In MeCN, 1 exhibits two strong absorption bands with lambda(max) at 500 and 720 nm. These bands red shift to 550 and 785 nm in case of 2 because of substitution of the pyridyl-imine moiety of SBPy(3) with quinolyl-imine moiety in the SBPy(2)Q ligand frame. Exposure of solutions 1 and 2 to near-infrared (NIR) light (780 nm, 5 mW) results in rapid bleaching of the orange and fuchsia solutions, and free NO is detected in the solutions by an NO-sensitive electrode. The high quantum yield values (Phi) of 1 (0.580 +/- 0.010, lambda(irr) = 550 nm, MeCN) and 2 (0.434 +/- 0.010, lambda(irr) = 550 nm, MeCN) and in particular their sensitivity to NIR light of 800-950 nm range strongly suggest that these designed manganese nitrosyls could be used as NIR light-triggered NO donors.

Ruthenium Nitrosyls Derived from Polypyridine Ligands with Carboxamide or Imine Nitrogen Donor(s): Isoelectronic Complexes with Different NO Photolability

As part of our search for photoactive ruthenium nitrosyls, a set of {RuNO}6 nitrosyls has been synthesized and structurally characterized. In this set, the first nitrosyl [(SBPy3)Ru(NO)](BF4)3 (1) is derived from a polypyridine Schiff base ligand SBPy3, while the remaining three nitrosyls are derived from analogous polypyridine ligands containing either one ([(PaPy3)Ru(NO)](BF4)2 (2)) or two ([(Py3P)Ru(NO)]BF4 (3) and [(Py3P)Ru(NO)(Cl)] (4)) carboxamide group(s). The coordination structures of 1 and 2 are very similar except that in 2, a carboxamido nitrogen is coordinated to the ruthenium center in place of an imine nitrogen in case of 1. In 3 and 4, the ruthenium center is coordinated to two carboxamido nitrogens in the equatorial plane and the bound NO is trans to a pyridine nitrogen (in 3) and chloride (in 4), respectively. Complexes 1-3 contain N6 donor set, and the NO stretching frequencies (nuNO) correlate well with the N-O bond distances. All four diamagnetic {RuNO}(6) nitrosyls are photoactive and release NO rapidly upon illumination with low-intensity (5-10 mW) UV light. Interestingly, photolysis of 1 generates the diamagnetic Ru(II) photoproduct [(SBPy3)Ru(MeCN)](2+) while 2-4 afford paramagnetic Ru(III) species in MeCN solution. The quantum yield values of NO release under UV illumination (lambda(max) = 302 nm) lie in the range 0.06-0.17. Complexes 3 and 4 also exhibit considerable photoactivity under visible light. The efficiency of NO release increases in the order 2 < 3 < 4, indicating that photorelease of NO is facilitated by (a) the increase in the number of coordinated carboxamido nitrogen(s) and (b) the presence of negatively charged ligands (like chloride) trans to the bound NO.

Electronic structure, bonding, spectroscopy and energetics of Fe-dependent nitrile hydratase active-site models

Fe-type nitrile hydratase (NHase) is a non-heme Fe(III)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the hydration of nitriles to the corresponding amides. Despite experimental studies of the enzyme and model Fe(III)-containing complexes, many questions concerning the electronic structure and spectroscopic transitions of the metal center remain unanswered. In addition, the catalytic mechanism of nitrile hydration has not yet been determined. We now report density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G) calculations on three models of the Fe(III) center in the active site of NHase corresponding to hypothetical intermediates in the enzyme-catalyzed hydration of acetonitrile. Together with natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of the chemical bonding in these active-site models and INDO/S CIS calculations of their electronic spectra, this theoretical investigation gives new insight into the molecular origin of the unusual low-spin preference and spectroscopic properties of the Fe(III) center. In addition, the low-energy electronic transition observed for the active form of NHase is assigned to a dd transition that is coupled with charge-transfer transitions involving the metal and its sulfur ligands. Calculations of isodesmic ligand-exchange reaction energies provide support for coordination of the Fe(III) center in free NHase by a water molecule rather than a hydroxide ion and suggest that the activation of the nitrile substrate by binding to the metal in the sixth coordination site during catalytic turnover cannot yet be definitively ruled out.

Mono- and binuclear complexes of iron(ii) and iron(iii) with an N4O ligand: synthesis, structures and catalytic properties in alkane oxidation

Three mononuclear iron complexes and one binuclear iron complex, [Fe(tpoen)Cl].0.5(Fe2OCl6) (1), [Fe(tpoen)Cl]PF6 (2), Fe(tpoen)Cl3 (3) and [[Fe(tpoen)]2(mu-O)](ClO4)4 (4) (tpoen = N-(2-pyridylmethoxyethyl)-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), were synthesized as functional models of non-heme iron oxygenases. Crystallographic studies revealed that the Fe(II) center of 1 is in a pseudooctahedral environment with a pentadentate N4O ligand and a chloride ion trans to the oxygen atom. The Fe(III) center of 3 is ligated by three nitrogen atoms of tpoen and three chloride ions in a facial configuration. Each Fe(III) center of 4 is coordinated with four nitrogen atoms and an oxygen atom of tpoen with the Fe-O-Fe angle of 172.0(3) angstroms. Complexes 2, 3 and 4 catalysed the oxidation of cyclohexane with H2O2 in the total TNs of 24-36 with A/K ratios of 1.9-2.4. Under the same conditions they also catalysed both the oxidation of ethylbenzene to benzylic alcohol and acetobenzene with good activity (30-47 TN) and low selectivity (A/K 0.7), and the oxidation of adamantane with moderate activity (15-18 TN) and low regioselectivity (3 degrees/2 degrees 3.0-3.2). With mCPBA as oxidant the catalytic activities of 2, 3 and 4 increased 1.8 to 2.3-fold for the oxidation of cyclohexane and ethylbenzene and 6.3 to 7.5-fold for the oxidation of adamantane. Drastic enhancement of the regioselectivity was observed in the oxidation of adamantane (3 degrees/2 degrees 18.5-30.3).

New Example of a Non-Heme Mononuclear Iron(IV) Oxo Complex. Spectroscopic Data and Oxidation Activity

The green complex S=1 [(TPEN)FeO]2+ [TPEN=N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine] has been obtained by treating the [(TPEN)Fe]2+ precursor with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA). This high-valent complex belongs to the emerging family of synthetic models of Fe(IV)=O intermediates invoked during the catalytic cycle of biological systems. This complex exhibits spectroscopic characteristics that are similar to those of other models reported recently with a similar amine/pyridine environment. Thanks to its relative stability, vibrational data in solution have been obtained by Fourier transform infrared. A comparison of the Fe=O and Fe=(18)O wavenumbers reveals that the Fe-oxo vibration is not a pure one. The ability of the green complex to oxidize small organic molecules has been studied. Mixtures of oxygenated products derived from two- or four-electron oxidations are obtained. The reactivity of this [FeO]2+ complex is then not straightforward, and different mechanisms may be involved.

Reactions of NO with Mn(II) and Mn(III) Centers Coordinated to Carboxamido Nitrogen: Synthesis of a Manganese Nitrosyl with Photolabile NO

The Mn(II) and Mn(III) complexes of the pentadentate ligand N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-carboxamide (PaPy3H; H is the dissociable carboxamide H), namely, [Mn(PaPy3)(H2O)]ClO4 (1) and [Mn(PaPy3)(Cl)]ClO4 (2), with bound carboxamido nitrogen have been isolated and characterized. The high-spin Mn(II) center in 1 is very sensitive to dioxygen, and this complex is rapidly converted into 2 upon reaction with Cl- in air. The bound carboxamido nitrogen in 1 is responsible for this sensitivity toward oxidation since the analogous Schiff base complex [Mn(SBPy3)Cl]ClO4 (4) is very resistant to oxidation. Reaction of NO with 1 affords the diamagnetic [Mn-NO]6 nitrosyl [Mn(PaPy3)(NO)]ClO4 (5). Complexes with no bound carboxamido nitrogen such as 4 and [Mn(PaPy3H)(Cl)2] (3) do not react with NO. No reaction with NO is observed with the Mn(III) complexes 2 and [Mn(PaPy3)(MeCN)]2+ either. Collectively these reactions indicate that NO reacts only with the Mn(II) center ligated to at least one carboxamido nitrogen. Both the carbonyl and N-O stretching frequencies (nu(CO) and nu(NO)) of the present and related complexes strongly suggest a [low-spin Mn(II)-NO*] formulation for 5. The alternative description [low-spin Mn(I)-NO+] is not supported by the spectroscopic and redox behavior of 5. Complex 5 is the first example of a [Mn-NO]6 nitrosyl that exhibits photolability of NO upon illumination with low-intensity tungsten lamps in solvents such as MeCN and H2O. The rapid NO loss from 5 leads to the formation of the corresponding solvato species [Mn(PaPy3)(MeCN)]2+ under aerobic conditions. Oxidation of 5 with (NH4)2[Ce(NO3)6] in MeCN affords the highly reactive paramagnetic (S = 1/2) [MnNO]5 nitrosyl [Mn(PaPy3)(NO)](NO3)2 (6) in high yield. Spectroscopic and magnetic studies confirm a [low-spin Mn(II)-NO+] formulation for 6. The N-O stretching frequencies (nu(NO)) of 5, 6, and analogous nitrosyls reported by other groups collectively suggest that nu(NO) is a better indicator of the oxidation state of NO (NO+, NO*, or NO-) in non-heme iron and other transition-metal complexes with bound NO.

Iron nitrosyls of a pentadentate ligand containing a single carboxamide group: syntheses, structures, electronic properties, and photolability of NO

Three iron complexes of a pentadentate ligand N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-N-ethyl-2-pyridine-2-carboxamide (PaPy(3)H, H is the dissociable amide proton) have been synthesized. All three species, namely, two nitrosyls [(PaPy(3))Fe(NO)](ClO(4))(2) (2) and [(PaPy(3))Fe(NO)](ClO(4)) (3) and one nitro complex [(PaPy(3))Fe(NO(2))](ClO(4)) (4), have been structurally characterized. These complexes provide the opportunity to compare the structural and spectral properties of a set of isostructural [Fe-NO](6,7) complexes (2 and 3, respectively) and an analogous genuine Fe(III) complex with an "innocent" sixth ligand ([(PaPy(3))Fe(NO(2))](ClO(4)), 4). The most striking difference in the structural features of 2 and 3 is the Fe-N-O angle (Fe-N-O = 173.1(2) degrees in the case of 2 and 141.29(15) degrees in the case of 3). The clean (1)H NMR spectrum of 2 in CD(3)CN reveals its S = 0 ground state and confirms its [Fe-NO](6) configuration. The binding of NO at the non-heme iron center in 2 is completely reversible and the bound NO is photolabile. Mössbauer data, electron paramagnetic resonance signal at g approximately 2.00, and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate the S = (1)/(2) spin state of the [Fe-NO](7) complex 3. Analysis of the spectroscopic data suggests Fe(II)-NO(+) and Fe(II)-NO(*) formulations for 2 and 3, respectively. The bound NO in 3 does not show any photolability. However, in MeCN solution, it reacts rapidly with dioxygen to afford the nitro complex 4, which has also been synthesized independently from [(PaPy(3))Fe(MeCN)](2+) and NO(2)(-). Nucleophilic attack of hydroxide ion to the N atom of the NO ligand in 2 in MeCN in the dark gives rise to 4 in high yield.

A New Family of Spin Crossover Complexes with a Tripod Ligand Containing Three Imidazoles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties of [FeIIH3LMe](NO3)2·1.5H2O, [FeIIILMe]·3.5H2O, [FeIIH3LMe][FeIILMe]NO3, and [FeIIH3LMe][FeIIILMe](NO3)2 (H3LMe = Tris[2-(((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine)

A new family of spin crossover complexes, [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](NO(3))(2).1.5H(2)O (1), [Fe(III)L(Me)].3.5H(2)O (2), [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)][Fe(II)L(Me)]NO(3) (3), and [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)][Fe(III)L(Me)](NO(3))(2) (4), has been synthesized and characterized, where H(3)L(Me) denotes a hexadentate N(6) tripod ligand containing three imidazole groups, tris[2-(((2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine. It was found that the spin and oxidation states of the iron complexes with this tripod ligand are tuned by the degree of deprotonation of the imidazole groups and by the 2-methyl imidazole substituent. Magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer studies revealed that 1 is an HS-Fe(II) complex, 2 exhibits a spin equilibrium between HS and LS-Fe(III), 3 exhibits a two-step spin transition, where the component [Fe(II)L(Me)](-) with the deprotonated ligand participates in the spin transition process in the higher temperature range and the component [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](2+) with the neutral ligand participates in the spin transition process in the lower temperature range, and 4 exhibits spin transition of both the Fe(II) and Fe(III) sites. The crystal structure of 3 consists of homochiral extended 2D puckered sheets, in which the capped tripodlike components [Fe(II)H(3)L(Me)](2+) and [Fe(II)L(Me)](-) are alternately arrayed in an up-and-down mode and are linked by the imidazole-imidazolate hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the adjacent 2D homochiral sheets are stacked in the crystal lattice yielding a conglomerate as confirmed by the enantiomeric circular dichorism spectra. Compounds 3 and 4 showed the LIESST (light induced excited spin state trapping) and reverse-LIESST effects upon irradiation with green and red light, respectively.

Reaction of (mu-oxo)diiron(III) core with CO2 in N-methylimidazole: formation of mono(mu-carboxylato)(mu-oxo)diiron(III) complexes with N-methylimidazole as ligands

Several iron(III) complexes with N-methylimidazole (N-MeIm) as the ligand have been synthesized by using N-MeIm as the solvent. Under anaerobic conditions, [Fe(N-MeIm)(6)](ClO(4))(3) (1) reacts with stoichiometric amounts of water in N-MeIm to afford the (mu-oxo)diiron(III) complex, [Fe(2)(mu-O)(N-MeIm)(10)](ClO(4))(4) (3). Exposure of a solution of 3 in N-MeIm to stoichiometric and excess CO(2) gives rise to the (mu-oxo)(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-HCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (4) and the methyl carbonate complex [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-CH(3)OCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (5), respectively. Formation of the formato-bridged complex 4 upon fixation of CO(2) by 3 in N-MeIm is unprecedentated. Methyl transfer from N-MeIm to a bicarbonato-bridged (mu-oxo)diiron(III) intermediate appears to give rise to 5. Complex 3 is a good starting material for the synthesis of (mu-oxo)mono(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-RCO(2))(N-MeIm)(8)](ClO(4))(3) (where R = H (4), CH(3) (6), or C(6)H(5) (7)); addition of the respective carboxylate ligand in stoichiometric amount to a solution of 3 in N-MeIm affords these complexes in high yields. Attempts to add a third bridge to complexes 4, 6, and 7 to form the (mu-oxo)bis(mu-carboxylato)diiron(III) species result in the isolation of the previously known triiron(III) mu-eta(3)-oxo clusters [[Fe(mu-RCO(2))(2)(N-MeIm)](3)O](ClO(4)) (8). The structures of 3, 4, 6, and 7 allow one, for the first time, to inspect the various features of the [Fe(2)(mu-O)(mu-RCO(2))](3+) moiety with no strain from the ligand framework.