Cobalt Carbonate as an Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

Co^II salts in the presence of HCO₃⁻/CO₃²⁻ in aqueous solutions act as electrocatalysts for water oxidation. It comprises of several key steps: (i) A relatively small wave at E_pa≈0.71 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) owing to the Co^III/II redox couple. (ii) A second wave is observed at E_pa≈1.10 V with a considerably larger current. In which the Co^III undergoes oxidation to form a Co^IV species. The large current is attributed to catalytic oxidation of HCO₃⁻/CO₃²⁻ to HCO₄⁻. (iii) A process with very large currents at >1.2 V owing to the formation of Co^V(CO₃)₃⁻, which oxidizes both water and HCO₃⁻/CO₃²⁻. These processes depend on [Co^II], [NaHCO₃], and pH. Chronoamperometry at 1.3 V gives a green deposit. It acts as a heterogeneous catalyst for water oxidation. DFT calculations point out that Coⁿ(CO₃)₃ⁿ⁻⁶, n=4, 5 are attainable at potentials similar to those experimentally observed.     

Second-sphere effects on H2O2 activation by non-heme FeII complexes: role of a phenol group in the [H2O2]-dependent accumulation of FeIVO vs. FeIIIOOH

Redox metalloenzymes achieve very selective oxidation reactions under mild conditions using O₂ or H₂O₂ as oxidants and release harmless side-products like water. Their oxidation selectivity is intrinsically linked to the control of the oxidizing species generated during the catalytic cycle. To do so, a second coordination sphere is used in order to create a pull effect during the activation of O₂ or H₂O₂, thus ensuring a heterolytic O–O bond cleavage. Herein, we report the synthesis and study of a new non-heme Fe^II complex bearing a pentaazadentate first coordination sphere and a pendant phenol group. Its reaction with H₂O₂ generates the classical Fe^IIIOOH species at high H₂O₂ loading. But at low H₂O₂ concentrations, an Fe^IVO species is generated instead. The formation of the latter is directly related to the presence of the 2nd sphere phenol group. Kinetic, variable temperature and labelling studies support the involvement of the attached phenol as a second coordination sphere moiety (weak acid) during H₂O₂ activation. Our results suggest a direct Fe^II → Fe^IVO conversion directed by the 2nd sphere phenol via the protonation of the distal O atom of the Fe^II/H₂O₂ adduct leading to a heterolytic O–O bond cleavage.

A new Fe^II complex with a phenol group attached as a second coordination sphere moiety activates H₂O₂ to yield Fe^IVO following a mechanism reminiscent of peroxidase enzymes.     

Highly Efficient FeIII-initiated Self-cycled Fenton System in Piezo-catalytic Process for Organic Pollutants Degradation

Piezo-catalytic self-Fenton (PSF) system has been emerging as a promising technique for wastewater treatment, while the competing O₂ reductive hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production and Fe^III reduction seriously limited the reaction kinetics. Here, we develop a two-electron water oxidative H₂O₂ production (WOR−H₂O₂) coupled with Fe^III reduction over a Fe^III/BiOIO₃ piezo-catalyst for highly efficient PSF. It is found that the presence of Fe^III can simultaneously initiate the WOR−H₂O₂ and reduction of Fe^III to Fe^II, thereby enabling a rapid reaction kinetics towards subsequent Fenton reaction of H₂O₂/Fe^II. The Fe^III initiating PSF system offers exceptional self-recyclable degradation of pollutants with a degradation rate constant for sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) over 3.5 times as that of the classic Fe^II-PSF system. This study offers a new perspective for constructing efficient PSF systems and shatters the preconceived notion of Fe^III in the Fenton reaction.     

Evolution of Ate-Organoiron(II) Species towards Lower Oxidation States: Role of the Steric and Electronic Factors

Ate-iron(II) species such as [Ar₃Fe^II]⁻ (Ar=aryl) are key intermediates in Fe-catalyzed couplings between aryl nucleophiles and organic electrophiles. They can be active species in the catalytic cycle, or lead to Fe⁰ and Fe^I oxidation states, which can themselves be catalytically active or lead to unwished organic byproducts. Analysis of the reactivity of the intermediates obtained by step-by-step displacement of the mesityl groups in high-spin [Mes₃Fe^II]⁻ by less hindered phenyl ligands was performed, and uncovered the crucial role of both steric and electronic parameters in the formation of the Fe⁰ and Fe^I oxidation states. The formation of quaternized [Ar₄Fe^IIMgBr(THF)]⁻ intermediates allows the bielectronic reductive elimination energy required for the formation of Fe⁰ to be reduced. Similarly, the small steric pressure of the aryl groups in [Ar₃Fe^II]⁻ enables the formation of aryl-bridged [{Fe^II(Ar)₂}₂(μ-Ar)₂]²⁻ species, which afford the Fe^I oxidation state by bimetallic reductive elimination. These results are supported by ¹H NMR, EPR, and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopies, as well as by DFT calculations.     

A New Thiolate-Bound Dimanganese Cluster as a Structural and Functional Model for Class Ib Ribonucleotide Reductases

In class Ib ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) a dimanganese(II) cluster activates superoxide (O₂⋅⁻) rather than dioxygen (O₂), to access a high valent Mn^III−O₂−Mn^IV species, responsible for the oxidation of tyrosine to tyrosyl radical. In a biomimetic approach, we report the synthesis of a thiolate-bound dimanganese complex [Mn^II₂(BPMT)(OAc)₂](ClO)₄ (BPMT=(2,6-bis{[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl}-4-methylthiophenolate) ( 1 ) and its reaction with O₂⋅⁻ to form a [(BPMT)MnO₂Mn]²⁺ complex 2 . Resonance Raman investigation revealed the presence of an O−O bond in 2 , while EPR analysis displayed a 16-line S_t=1/2 signal at g=2 typically associated with a Mn^IIIMn^IV core, as detected in class Ib RNRs. Unlike all other previously reported Mn−O₂−Mn complexes, generated by O₂⋅⁻ activation at Mn₂ centers, 2 proved to be a capable electrophilic oxidant in aldehyde deformylation and phenol oxidation reactions, rendering it one of the best structural and functional models for class Ib RNRs.     

Trapping of a Highly Reactive Oxoiron(IV) Complex in the Catalytic Epoxidation of Olefins by Hydrogen Peroxide

The generation of a nonheme oxoiron(IV) intermediate, [(cyclam)Fe^IV(O)(CH₃CN)]²⁺ ( 2 ; cyclam=1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane), is reported in the reactions of [(cyclam)Fe^II]²⁺ with aqueous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or a soluble iodosylbenzene (sPhIO) as a rare example of an oxoiron(IV) species that shows a preference for epoxidation over allylic oxidation in the oxidation of cyclohexene. Complex 2 is kinetically and catalytically competent to perform the epoxidation of olefins with high stereo‐ and regioselectivity. More importantly, 2 is likely to be the reactive intermediate involved in the catalytic epoxidation of olefins by [(cyclam)Fe^II]²⁺ and H₂O₂. In spite of the predominance of the oxoiron(IV) cores in biology, the present study is a rare example of high‐yield isolation and spectroscopic characterization of a catalytically relevant oxoiron(IV) intermediate in chemical oxidation reactions.     

Responsive Four-Coordinate Iron(II) Nodes in FePd(CN)4

Metal node design is crucial for obtaining structurally diverse coordination polymers (CPs) and metal–organic frameworks with desirable properties; however, Fe^II ions are exclusively six-coordinated. Herein, we present a cyanide-bridged three-dimensional (3D) CP, FePd(CN)₄, bearing four-coordinate Fe^II ions, which is synthesized by thermal treatment of a two-dimensional (2D) six-coordinate Fe^II CP, Fe(H₂O)₂Pd(CN)₄⋅4 H₂O, to remove water molecules. Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray and neutron diffraction measurements revealed that the FePd(CN)₄ structure is composed of a two-fold interpenetrated PtS topology network, where the Fe^II center demonstrates an intermediate geometry between tetrahedral and square-planar coordination. This four-coordinate Fe^II center with the distorted geometry can act as a thermo-responsive flexible node in the PtS network.     

Dual Metal Active Sites in an Ir1/FeOx Single-Atom Catalyst: A Redox Mechanism for the Water-Gas Shift Reaction

Herein, we report a theoretical and experimental study of the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction on Ir₁/FeO_x single-atom catalysts. Water dissociates to OH* on the Ir₁ single atom and H* on the first-neighbour O atom bonded with a Fe site. The adsorbed CO on Ir₁ reacts with another adjacent O atom to produce CO₂, yielding an oxygen vacancy (O_vac). Then, the formation of H₂ becomes feasible due to migration of H from adsorbed OH* toward Ir₁ and its subsequent reaction with another H*. The interaction of Ir₁ and the second-neighbouring Fe species demonstrates a new WGS pathway featured by electron transfer at the active site from Fe³⁺−O⋅⋅⋅Ir²⁺−O_vac to Fe²⁺−O_vac⋅⋅⋅Ir³⁺−O with the involvement of O_vac. The redox mechanism for WGS reaction through a dual metal active site (DMAS) is different from the conventional associative mechanism with the formation of formate or carboxyl intermediates. The proposed new reaction mechanism is corroborated by the experimental results with Ir₁/FeO_x for sequential production of CO₂ and H₂.     

Aromatic Hydroxylation at a Non‐Heme Iron Center: Observed Intermediates and Insights into the Nature of the Active Species

Mechanism of substrate oxidations with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a highly reactive, biomimetic, iron aminopyridine complex, [Fe^II(bpmen)(CH₃CN)₂][ClO₄]₂ ( 1 ; bpmen=N,N'‐dimethyl‐N,N'‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine), is elucidated. Complex 1 has been shown to be an excellent catalyst for epoxidation and functional‐group‐directed aromatic hydroxylation using H₂O₂, although its mechanism of action remains largely unknown. 1 , 2 Efficient intermolecular hydroxylation of unfunctionalized benzene and substituted benzenes with H₂O₂ in the presence of 1 is found in the present work. Detailed mechanistic studies of the formation of iron(III)–phenolate products are reported. We have identified, generated in high yield, and experimentally characterized the key Fe^III(OOH) intermediate (λ_max=560 nm, rhombic EPR signal with g=2.21, 2.14, 1.96) formed by 1 and H₂O₂. Stopped‐flow kinetic studies showed that Fe^III(OOH) does not directly hydroxylate the aromatic rings, but undergoes rate‐limiting self‐decomposition producing transient reactive oxidant. The formation of the reactive species is facilitated by acid‐assisted cleavage of the O? O bond in the iron–hydroperoxide intermediate. Acid‐assisted benzene hydroxylation with 1 and a mechanistic probe, 2‐Methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propyl hydroperoxide (MPPH), correlates with O? O bond heterolysis. Independently generated Fe^IV?O species, which may originate from O? O bond homolysis in Fe^III(OOH), proved to be inactive toward aromatic substrates. The reactive oxidant derived from 1 exchanges its oxygen atom with water and electrophilically attacks the aromatic ring (giving rise to an inverse H/D kinetic isotope effect of 0.8). These results have revealed a detailed experimental mechanistic picture of the oxidation reactions catalyzed by 1 , based on direct characterization of the intermediates and products, and kinetic analysis of the individual reaction steps. Our detailed understanding of the mechanism of this reaction revealed both similarities and differences between synthetic and enzymatic aromatic hydroxylation reactions.     

Overcoming the Oxygen Dilemma in Photoredox Catalysis: Near-Infrared (NIR) Light-Triggered Peroxynitrite Generation for Antibacterial Applications

The peroxynitrite anion (ONOO⁻) is closely associated with many diseases and the creation of ONOO⁻ donors is an essential means of understanding its pathophysiological functions. However, it is challenging to develop ONOO⁻ donors due to the difficulties in simultaneously producing highly reactive and short-lived nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O₂⋅⁻). Here, we report a novel strategy for constructing ONOO⁻ donors by combining near-infrared (NIR)-mediated type I photosensitization and photoredox catalysis. The key design using a Nile blue analogue that can serve as both a type I photosensitizer and a metal-free photocatalyst. Intriguingly, the formation of O₂⋅⁻ via type I photosensitization avoids oxygen interference and instead activates nitrobenzofurazan-based NO donors via oxygen-tolerant NIR photoredox catalysis. The simultaneous release of O₂⋅⁻ and NO leads to ONOO⁻ release, showing both antibacterial and antibiofilm activities.     

Small‐Molecule Anion Recognition by a Shape‐Responsive Bowl‐Type Dodecavanadate

A dodecavanadate, [V₁₂O₃₂]⁴⁻, is an inorganic bowl‐type host with a cavity entrance with a diameter of 4.4 Å in the optimized structure. Linear, bent, and trigonal planar anions are tested as guest anions and the formation of host–guest complexes, [V₁₂O₃₂(X)]⁵⁻ (X=CN⁻, OCN⁻, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, HCO₂⁻, and CH₃CO₂⁻), were confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analyses and a ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy study. The degree of distortion of the bowl from a regular to an oval shape depends on the type of guest anion. In ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy, all chemical shifts of the host–guest complexes are clearly shifted after guest incorporation. The incorporation reaction rates for OCN⁻, NO₂⁻, HCO₂⁻, and CH₃CO₂⁻ are much larger than those of NO₃⁻ and halides. The incorporated nonspherical molecular anions in the dodecavanadate host are easily dissociated or exchanged for other anions, whereas spherical halides in the host are preserved without dissociation, even in the presence of the tested anions.     

Proton shuttle efficiency of bicarbonate: A theoretical study on tautomerization and CO2 hydration

The efficiency of bicarbonate molecule (HCO₃⁻) as a proton shuttle in the tautomerization and (non)enzymatic CO₂ hydration reactions has been investigated with the aid of computational chemistry methods (DFT and ab initio). The results revealed that bicarbonate can decrease the barrier height of tautomerization (keto-enol, azo-hydrazo and imine-amine) more than 70%. This value is around 45% for water molecules. Also, HCO₃⁻ can catalyze the CO₂ hydration both inside (enzymatic) and outside (nonenzymatic) the active site of human carbonic anhydrases II (HCA II). In the absence of enzyme, bicarbonate molecule can lower the CO₂ hydration from ∼50 kcal mol⁻¹ in the gas phase to ∼14 kcal mol⁻¹ in the aqueous media. This reaction maintains its barrier (∼15 kcal mol⁻¹) for bicarbonate-Zn complex in the active site of enzyme; it has been observed that amino acid residues, mainly Thr199 and Glu106, are actively involved in the proton transfer network and facilitate CO₂ hydration ability of bicarbonate.     

A Tale of Two Complexes: Electro-Assisted Oxidation of Thioanisole by an “O2 Activator/Oxidizing Species” Tandem System of Non-Heme Iron Complexes

We report two new Fe^III complexes [L¹Fe^III(H₂O)](OTf)₂ and [L²Fe^III(OTf)] , obtained by replacing pyridines by phenolates in a known non-heme aminopyridine iron complex. While the original, starting aminopyridine [(L₅ ² )Fe^II(MeCN)](PF₆) complex is stable in air, the potentials of the new Fe^III/II couples decrease to the point that [L²Fe^II] spontaneously reduces O₂ to superoxide. We used it as an O₂ activator in an electrochemical setup, as its presence allows to generate superoxide at a much more accessible potential (>500 mV gain). Our aim was to achieve substrate oxidation via the reductive activation of O₂. While L²Fe^III(OTf) proved to be a good O₂ activator but a poor oxidation system, its association with another complex (TPEN)Fe^II(PF₆)₂ generates a complementary tandem couple for electro-assisted oxidation of substrates, working at a very accessible potential: upon reduction, L²Fe^III(OTf) activates O₂ to superoxide and transfers it to (TPEN)Fe^II(PF₆)₂ leading in fine to the oxidation of thioanisole.     

A diketiminate‐bound diiron complex with a bridging carbonate ligand

Reduction of carbon dioxide by a diiron(I) complex gives μ‐carbonato‐κ³O:O′,O′′‐bis{[2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐3,5‐bis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)heptane‐2,5‐diiminate(1−)‐κ²N,N′]iron(II)} toluene disolvate, [Fe₂(C₄₁H₆₅N)₂(CO₃)]·2C₇H₈, a diiron(II) species with a bridging carbonate ligand. The asymmetric unit contains one diiron complex and two cocrystallized toluene solvent molecules that are distributed over three sites, one with atoms in general positions and two in crystallographic sites. Both Fe^II atoms are η²‐coordinated to diketiminate ligands, but η¹‐ and η²‐coordinated to the bridging carbonate ligand. Thus, one Fe^II center is three‐coordinate and the other is four‐coordinate. The bridging carbonate ligand is nearly perpendicular to the iron–diketiminate plane of the four‐coordinate Fe^II center and parallel to the plane of the three‐coordinate Fe^II center.     

Cl2⋅− Mediates Direct and Selective Conversion of Inert C(sp3)−H Bonds into Aldehydes/Ketones

Developing new reactive pathway to activate inert C(sp³)−H bonds for valuable oxygenated products remains a challenge. We prepared a series of triazine conjugated organic polymers to photoactivate C−H into aldehyde/ketone via O₂→H₂O₂→⋅OH→Cl⋅→Cl₂⋅⁻. Experiment results showed Cl₂⋅⁻ could successively activate C(sp³)−H more effectively than Cl⋅ to generate unstable dichlorinated intermediates, increasing the kinetic rate ratio of dichlorination to monochlorination by a factor of 2,000 and thus breaking traditional dichlorination kinetic constraints. These active intermediates were hydrolyzed into aldehydes or ketones easily, when compared with typical stable dichlorinated complexes, avoiding chlorinated by-product generation. Moreover, an integrated two-phase system in an acid solution strengthened the Cl₂⋅⁻ mediated process and inhibited product overoxidation, where the conversion rate of toluene reached 16.94 mmol/g/h and the selectivity of benzaldehyde was 99.5 %. This work presents a facile and efficient approach for selective conversion of inert C(sp³)−H bonds using Cl₂⋅⁻.     

On‐surface Fenton and Fenton‐like reactions appraised by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry

On‐surface degradation of sildenafil (an adequate substrate as it contains assorted functional groups in its structure) promoted by the Fenton (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) and Fenton‐like (Mⁿ⁺/H₂O₂; Mⁿ⁺ = Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺) systems was investigated by using paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PS‐MS). The performance of each system was compared by measuring the ratio between the relative intensities of the ions of m/z 475 (protonated sildenafil) and m/z 235 (protonated lidocaine, used as a convenient internal standard and added to the paper just before the PS‐MS analyzes). The results indicated the following order in the rates of such reactions: Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ ≫ H₂O₂ ≫ Cu²⁺/H₂O₂ > Mⁿ⁺/H₂O₂ (Mⁿ⁺ = Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺) ~ Mⁿ⁺ (Mⁿ⁺ = Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²). The superior capability of Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ in causing the degradation of sildenafil indicates that Fe²⁺ efficiently decomposes H₂O₂ to yield hydroxyl radicals, quite reactive species that cause the substrate oxidation. The results also indicate that H₂O₂ can spontaneously decompose likely to yield hydroxyl radicals, although in a much smaller extension than the Fenton system. This effect, however, is strongly inhibited by the presence of the other cations, ie, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Mn²⁺. A unique oxidation by‐product was detected in the reaction between Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ with sildenafil, and a possible structure for it was proposed based on the MS/MS data. The on‐surface reaction of other substrates (trimethoprim and tamoxifen) with the Fenton system was also investigated. In conclusion, PS‐MS shows to be a convenient platform to promptly monitor on‐surface oxidation reactions.     

Effect of inorganic anions on the titanium dioxide-based photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous ammonia and nitrite

In this study, we investigated the effects of four inorganic anions (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, H₂PO₄⁻/HPO₄²⁻, and HCO₃⁻/CO₃²⁻) on titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-based photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous ammonia (NH₄⁺/NH₃) at pH ∼ 9 and ∼10 and nitrite (NO₂⁻) over the pH range of 4–11. The initial rates of NH₄⁺/NH₃ and NO₂⁻ photocatalytic oxidation are dependent on both the pH and the anion species. Our results indicate that, except for CO₃²⁻, which decreased the homogeneous oxidation rate of NH₄⁺/NH₃ by UV-illuminated hydrogen peroxide, OH scavenging by anions and/or direct oxidation of NH₄⁺/NH₃ and NO₂⁻ by anion radicals did not affect rates of TiO₂ photocatalytic oxidation. While HPO₄²⁻ enhanced NH₄⁺/NH₃ photocatalytic oxidation at pH ∼ 9 and ∼10, H₂PO₄⁻/HPO₄²⁻ inhibited NO₂⁻ oxidation at low to neutral pH values. The presence of Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, and HCO₃⁻ had no effect on NH₄⁺/NH₃ and NO₂⁻ photocatalytic oxidation at pH ∼ 9 and ∼10, whereas CO₃²⁻ slowed NH₄⁺/NH₃ but not NO₂⁻ photocatalytic oxidation at pH ∼ 11. Photocatalytic oxidation of NH₄⁺/NH₃ to NO₂⁻ is the rate-limiting step in the complete oxidation of NH₄⁺/NH₃ to NO₃⁻ in the presence of common wastewater anions. Therefore, in photocatalytic oxidation treatment, we should choose conditions such as alkaline pH that will maximize the NH₄⁺/NH₃ oxidation rate.     

FeIII and FeII Phosphasalen Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Application for 2-Naphthol Oxidative Coupling

We report on the synthesis and characterization of three iron(III) phosphasalen complexes, [Fe^III(Psalen)(X)] differing in the nature of the counter-anion/exogenous ligand (X⁻=Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, OTf⁻), as well as the neutral iron(II) analogue, [Fe^II(Psalen)] . Phosphasalen (Psalen) differs from salen by the presence of iminophosphorane (P=N) functions in place of the imines. All the complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV/Vis, EPR, and cyclic voltammetry. The [Fe^II(Psalen)] complex was shown to remain tetracoordinated even in coordinating solvent but surprisingly exhibits a magnetic moment in line with a Fe^II high-spin ground state. For the Fe^III complexes, the higher lability of triflate anion compared to nitrate was demonstrated. As they exhibit lower reduction potentials compared to their salen analogues, these complexes were tested for the coupling of 2-naphthol using O₂ from air as oxidant. In order to shed light on this reaction, the interaction between 2-naphthol and the Fe^III(Psalen) complexes was studied by cyclic voltammetry as well as UV/Vis spectroscopy.     

A Functional Model of Cytochrome c Oxidase: Thermodynamic Implications

The environment of the Cu ^I ion in the distal ligand group decides the fate of the reduction of O₂ by the two analogues 1 and 2 of the heme a₃ Cu_B center in cytochrome c oxidase. The fourfold coordination by N in 1 favors the Cu^II oxidation state and leads to a 4 e⁻–4 H⁺ reduction and the formation of H₂O under physiological conditions, while with 2 a 2 e⁻–2 H⁺ reduction occurs to form the cytotoxic H₂O₂.     

Weak Antiferromagnetic Exchange and Ferromagnetic Alignment of FeII (S=2) Spins in Differently Charged {HAT ⋅ (FeIICl2)3}n (n=2- and 3-) Assemblies of Hexaazatriphenylenes (HAT)

Hexaazatrianthracene (HATA) and hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile {HAT(CN)₆} are reduced by metallic iron in the presence of crystal violet (CV⁺)(Cl⁻). Anionic ligands are produced, which simultaneously coordinate three Fe^IICl₂ to form (CV⁺)₂{HATA ⋅ (Fe^IICl₂)₃}²⁻ ⋅ 3 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 1 ) and (CV⁺)₃{HAT(CN)_6. (Fe^IICl₂)₃}³⁻ ⋅ 0.5CVCl ⋅ 2.5 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 2 ). High-spin (S=2) Fe^II atoms in both structures are arranged in equilateral triangles at a distance of 7 Å. An antiferromagnetic exchange is observed between Fe^II in {HATA ⋅ (Fe^IICl₂)₃}²⁻ ( 1 ) with a Weiss temperature (Θ) of −80 K, the PHI estimated exchange interaction (J) is −4.7 cm⁻¹. The {HAT(CN)₆ ⋅ (Fe^IICl₂)₃}³⁻ assembly is obtained in 2 . The formation of HAT(CN)₆^.3− is supported by the appearance of an intense EPR signal with g=2.0037. The magnetic behavior of 2 is described by a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe^II and HAT(CN)₆^.3− spins with J₁=−164 cm⁻¹ (−2 J formalism) and by a weaker antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe^II spins with J₂=−15.4 cm⁻¹. The stronger coupling results in the spins of the three Fe^IICl₂ units to be aligned parallel to each other in the assembly. As a result, an increase of the χ_MT values is observed with the decrease of temperature from 9.82 at 300 K up to 15.06 emu ⋅ K/mol at 6 K, and the Weiss temperature is also positive being at +23 K. Thus, a change in the charge and spin state of the HAT-type ligand to ⋅3⁻ results in ferromagnetic alignment of the Fe^II spins, yielding a high-spin (S=11/2) system. DFT calculations showed that, due to the high symmetry and nearly degenerated LUMO of both HATA and HAT(CN)₆, their complexes with Fe^IICl₂ have a variety of closely lying excited high-spin states with multiplicity up to S=15/2.