New insights into the chemistry of di- and trimetallic iron dithiolene derivatives. Structural, Mössbauer, magnetic, electrochemical and theoretical studies

Dalton Trans. 2014 Sep 21;43(35):13187-95. doi: 10.1039/c4dt01462f.

Abstract

Reaction of Fe3(CO)12 with 1,2-dithiolene HSC6H2Cl2SH affords a mixture of complexes [Fe2(CO)6(μ-SC6H2Cl2S)] 1, [Fe2(SC6H2Cl2S)4] 2 and [Fe3(CO)7(μ3-SC6H2Cl2S)2] 3. In the course of the reaction the trimetallic cluster 3 is first formed and then converted into the known dinuclear compound 1 to afford finally the neutral diiron tetrakis(dithiolato) derivative 2. Compounds 2 and 3 have been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations. In compound 2 the metal atoms are in an intermediate-spin Fe(III) state (S(Fe) = 3/2) and each metal is bonded to a bridging dithiolene ligand and a non-bridging thienyl radical (S = 1/2). Magnetic measurements show a strong antiferromagnetic coupling in complex 2. Cyclic voltammetry experiments show that the mixed valence trinuclear cluster 3 undergoes a fully reversible one electron reduction. Additionally, compound 3 behaves as an electrocatalyst in the reduction process of protons to hydrogen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods*
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Ferrous Compounds / chemistry*
  • Iron / chemistry
  • Magnetometry / methods*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Spectroscopy, Mossbauer / methods
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Iron