Synthesis and Characterization of Bidentate Isonitrile Iron Complexes

Divalent iron complexes trans-[FeBr2(BINC)2], [Cp*FeCl(BINC)] (Cp* = Me5C5) and [FeBr2(CNAr3NC)2] with chelat-ing bis(isonitrile) ligands BINC (bis(2-isocyanophenyl)phenylphosphonate) and CNAr3NC (2,2’’-diisocyano-3,5,3’’,5’’tetramethyl-1,1’:3’,1’’-terphenyl) have been prepared and characterized. Their subsequent reduction yields di- and trinuclear compounds [Fe3(BINC)6], [Cp*Fe(BINC)]2, [Fe(CNAr3NC)2]2 and [K(Et2O)]2[Fe(CNAr3NC)2]2. The molecular structures of all new species were determined by X-ray crystallography. The molecular structures are compared to related iron carbonyl complexes. The complexes were further characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, and the electrochemical properties of selected compounds were analyzed by UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry.