Synthesis and structure of η6-(biphenyl)-η5- (cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) hexaflourophosphates

A series of η⁶-(biphenyl)-η⁵-(cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) hexafluorophosphates have been prepared. Demethylation occured during the synthesis of the 2′-OMe derivatives to yield the correspoding 2′-OH product. The mechanism of this process is discussed. In all cases the complexation involved the unsubstituted phenyl ring. From ¹³C NMR data, values of Hammett resonance parameters σ_R, were calculated which show that the [CpfeC₆H₅]⁺ group behaves as an electron-withdrawing substituent comparable in strength to the cyano group. Approximate values of the biphenyl interplanar angle (θ) were obtained. θ appeared to be significantly lower when electron-releasing substituents were present. ⁵⁷ Fe Mössbauer data support the strong electron acceptor properties of the [CpFe⁺C₆H₅] moiety. In particular the quadrupole splitting (QS) shows a marked increase for the 4-OMe derivative relative to the unsubstituted comples. This is in direct contrast to the aryl ferrocenes. Here, the ferrocenyl and OMe substituents are electronically and so there is no (QS) enhancement.     

Solvatochromism and piezochromism of pentacyanoferrates(II) and of mixed valence iron(II)—iron(III) and ruthenium(II)—ruthenium(III) species

Pressure effects on the MLCT bands of the pyrazine- and 4-cyanopyridine-pentacyanoferrate(II) anions have been established. The relation of these piezochromic effects to the solvatochromism of each complex is put into the correlation between these parameters developed for other d⁶ ternary complexes. The conformance of piezochromic and solvatochromic efrects on MMCT bands for diiron and diruthenium mixed valence complexes to this correlation is examined.     

NMR and EPR investigations of iron corrolates: iron(III) corrolate pi cation radicals or iron(IV) corrolates?

The chloroiron corrolates of 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octamethyl- and 7,13-dimethyl-2,3,8,12,17,18-hexaethylcorrole ([(Me8C)FeCl] and [(7,13-Me2Et6C)FeCl], respectively) and their bisimidazole complexes have been investigated by NMR spectroscopy as a function of temperature, and by EPR spectroscopy at 4.2 K. Magnetic susceptibilities were measured by the modified Evans method. It is found that the electron configuration of the chloroiron corrolates is that of a S = 3/2 Fe(III) center coupled to a corrolate pi radical, where one electron has been removed from the pi system of the corrolate. This pi radical is antiferromagnetically coupled to the unpaired electrons of the iron to yield an overall S = 1 complex, as evidenced by the very large positive shifts of the meso-H resonances (183 and 172 ppm). That this antiferromagnetic coupling is very strong is supported by the near-Curie behavior of the 1H chemical shifts. For the chloroiron corrolates in the presence of imidazole, imidazole-d4, and N-methylimidazole at temperatures of -50 degrees C and below, the mono- and bisligand complexes are formed. The NMR spectra can be assigned on the basis of chemical exchange between the chloroiron(III) parent complex and the bisligand complex at -30 degrees C, and between the bisligand complex and the monoligand complex at -50 degrees C. The bisimidazole complexes show pyrrole CH2 and CH3 resonances characteristic of low-spin Fe(III) centers (S = 1/2), but with strongly upfield-shifted meso-H resonances (delta values of -95 and -82.5 ppm for the octamethyl complex and -188 and -161 ppm for the dimethylhexaethyl complex at 203 K) characteristic of the presence of a macrocycle-centered unpaired electron. The magnetic moments of these bisligand complexes are somewhat lower than expected for overall S = 1 systems, and decrease as the temperature is lowered. The lower apparent magnetic moments (2.0-1.8 mu B between -50 and -90 degrees C) are believed to be caused by a combination of weak or no magnetic coupling between the metal and macrocycle electrons and decreasing solubility of the complex as the temperature is lowered. The non-Curie behavior of the 1H chemical shifts observed in the low-temperature (-50 to -90 degrees C) NMR spectra likely arises from a combination of the effects of weak antiferromagnetic coupling of metal and macrocycle spins, a low-lying electronic excited state, and ligand binding/loss equilibria at the highest temperatures studied (-50 degrees C).     

O,O′-Alkylene dithiophosphate derivatives of iron(II) and iron(III) and their reactions with nitrogen- and phosphorus-donor bases

Summary Solids of the stoichiometric formulae [Fe{S₂P(OPr-n)₂}₃] and [Fe{S₂PO₂G}₃] (G = —CH₂CMe₂CH₂—, CMe_2–CMe₂— or —CH₂CH₂CHMe—) are precipitated from the reactions of FeCl₃ with ammonium dithiophosphates in water. Soluble complexes of the type [Fe{S₂PO₂G}₂], formed by the reactions of FeCl₂ with NH₄[{S₂PO₂G}] in MeOH, can be extracted with benzene. Adducts of the types [Fe{S₂PO₂G}₂L] and [Fe{S₂PO₂G}₂(PPh₃)₂] are formed by the reaction of [Fe{S₂PO₂G}₂] with L (L = 2,2-bipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline) and PPh₃, respectively. All the compounds have been characterized by i.r. and u.v.-vis. spectroscopy and magnetic studies.This paper is dedicated to the late Dr. G. Srivastava, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Rajasthan University, Jaipur.     

Synthesis and magnetic interaction of μ-2-chloroterephthalato binuclear iron (Ⅱ) complexes

Four μ-2-chloroterephthalato binuclear iron(Ⅱ) complexes, namely [Fe2 (CTPHA) L4]-(ClO4)2, where L stands for 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Me2-bpy); 2,9-dimethyl-l, 10-phenanthro-line (Me2-phen); 5-chloro-l, 10-phenanthroline (Cl-phen); 4, 7-diphenyl-l, 10-phenanthroline (Ph2-phen), respectively, and CTPHA represents 2-chlorolerephthalate dianion, have been synthesized and characterized. Based on the elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements and spectroscopic studies, extended CTPHA-bridged structures consisting of two iron(Ⅱ) ions, each in a distorted octahedral environment, are proposed for these complexes. [Fe2 CTPHA)-(Me2-bpy)4] (ClO2 (1) and [Fe2(CT-PHA)·(Me2-phen)4](ClO4)2 (2) complexes were characterized by variable temperature magnetic susceptibility (4-300 K) measurements and the observed data were successfully simulated by the equation based on the spin Hamiltonian operator, H = - 2JS1 · S2 , giving the exchange integrals J = - 1.28 cm-1 for 1 and J = - 1.85 cm-1 for 2. These r     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)iron(II) and tris(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) complexes by nitropentacyanocobaltate(III) in acidic aqueous medium

The kinetics of the oxidation of tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)iron(II) and tris(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) complexes ([Fe(LL)₃]²⁺, LL = bipy, phen) by nitropentacyanocobaltate(III) complex [Co(CN)₅NO₂]^3? was investigated in acidic aqueous solutions at ionic strength of I = 0.1 mol dm^?3 (HCl/NaCl). The reactions were carried out at fixed acid concentration ([H⁺] = 0.01 mol dm^?3) and the temperature maintained at 35.0 ± 0.1 °C. Spectroscopic evidence is presented for the protonated oxidant. Protonation constants of 360.43 and 563.82 dm³ mol^?1 were obtained for the monoprotonated and diprotonated Co(III) complexes respectively. Electron transfer rates were generally faster for [Fe(bipy)₃]²⁺ than [Fe(phen)₃]²⁺. The redox complexes formed ion-pairs with the oxidant with increasing concentration of the oxidant over that of the reductant. Ion-pair constants for these reaction were 160.31 and 131.9 dm³ mol^?1 for [Fe(bipy)₃]²⁺ and [Fe(phen)₃]^2+, respectively. The activation parameters measured for these systems have values as follows: ?H ^≠ (kJ K^?1 mol^?1) = +113.4 ± 0.4 and +119 ± 0.3; ?S ^≠ (J K^?1) = +107.6 ± 1.3 and 125.0 ± 1.6; ?G ^≠ (kJ K^?1) = +81 ± 0.4 and +82.4 ± 0.4; and E _a (kJ mol^?1) = 115.9 ± 0.5 and 122.3 ± 0.6 for LL = bipy and phen, respectively. Effect of added anions (Cl^?, $ {\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - } $ and $ {\text{ClO}}_{4}^{ - } $ ) on the systems showed decrease in the electron transfer rate constant. An outer-sphere mechanism is proposed for the reaction.     

High-spin complexes of iron(III) with ethylene glycol and 3(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4′-substituted phenyl) pyrazolines

Complexes of iron(III) with ethylene glycol and 3(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4′-substituted phenyl) pyrazolines, [Fe(OCH₂CH₂O)(C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX)] _m ? nH₂O and [Fe(C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX)₂(OCH₂CH₂OH)] (where OCH₂CH₂O and OCH₂CH₂OH = ethylene glycol moiety; C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX = 3(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-X-phenyl)pyrazoline; X = H, CH₃, OCH₃, or Cl; m = 2–3 and n = 2–3) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N, Cl, and Fe), molecular weight measurement, magnetic moment data, thermogravimetric analysis, molar conductance, spectral (UV-Vis, IR, and FAB mass), scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction studies. Bonding of ethylene glycol and pyrazolines in these complexes and the particle size of iron(III) complexes are discussed. Antibacterial and antifungal potential of free pyrazoline and some iron(III) complexes are also discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of sterically encumbered β-ketoiminate complexes of iron(II) and zinc(II)

The synthesis, structure, and spectroscopic signatures of a series of four-coordinate iron(II) complexes of β-ketoiminates and their zinc(II) analogues are presented. An unusual five-coordinate iron(II) triflate with three oxygen bound protonated β-ketoimines is also synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the deprotonated bis(chelate)metal complexes are four-coordinate with various degrees of distortion depending on the degree of steric bulk and the electronics of the metal center. Each of the high-spin iron(II) centers exhibits multiple electronic transitions including ligand π to π*, metal-to-ligand charge transfer, and spin-forbidden d-d bands. The (1)H NMR spectra of the paramagnetic high-spin iron(II) centers are assigned on the basis of chemical shifts, longitudinal relaxation times (T(1)), relative integrations, and substitution of the ligands. The electrochemical studies support variations in the ligand strength. Parallel mode EPR measurements for the isopropyl substituted ligand complex of iron(II) show low-field resonances (g > 9.5) indicative of complex aggregation or crystallite formation. No suitable solvent system or glassing mixture was found to remedy this phenomenon. However, the bulkier diisopropylphenyl substituted ligand exhibits an integer spin signal consistent with an isolated iron(ii) center [S = 2; D = -7.1 ± 0.8 cm(-1); E/D = 0.1]. A tentative molecular orbital diagram is assembled.     

Mixed-ligand complexes of iron(II), iron(III), copper(II), and cobalt(II) with pyrazolonic and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands

New mixed-ligand complexes, [M₂(BAMP)(bipy)₂][MCl₄]₂, M=Co⁺²(1), Cu⁺²(2), [M₂(TAMEN)(bipy)₂][MCl₄]₂, M=Fe⁺²(3), Co²⁺(4), and [Fe₂(TAMEN)(bipy)₂][FeCl₆]₂ (5), where BAMP and TAMEN stand for the Mannich bases N,N′-bis(antipyryl-4-methylene)-piperazine and N,N′-tetra(antipyryl-4-methylene)-1,2-ethane-diamine, respectively, have been obtained and characterized by elemental analyses, conductometric and magnetic susceptibility measurements at room temperature, mass spectrometry, UV-Vis, infrared, and mass spectroscopy, and ¹H NMR spectra for the ligands.     

π-Extended and six-coordinate iron(II) complexes: structures, magnetic properties, and the electrochemical synthesis of a conducting iron(II) metallopolymer

Herein, we describe the preparation of three new bidentate π-extended derivatives of the ligand N-phenyl-2-pyridinalimine (ppi) containing a 3-thienyl (4) substituent at position 4 of the aniline ring or 2-thienyl (6) or phenyl (2) substituents at each of the 2,5 positions of the aniline rings. Three iron(2+) complexes (7-9) containing these ligands were prepared by combining two equivalents each of 2, 4, or 6 with Fe(NCS)(2), and the resulting neutral, six-coordinate complexes were fully characterized, including with single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments in the case of complexes 7 and 9. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and Mo?ssbauer experiments confirm the presence of spin-crossover in complexes 7 and 8, and the unusual solid state variable temperature magnetic properties of complex 9 likely result from crystal packing forces. Electropolymerization of the 2,5-dithienyl-substituted complex (9) produces a conducting and electrochromic metallopolymer film (poly-9).     

Crystal structure and thermal stability of A μ1,1-(OMe)-bridged dimeric Schiff base iron(III) complex

A new μ_1,1-OMe-bridged dimeric iron(III) complex, [Fe₂L₂(μ_1,1-OMe)₂(NCS)₂], where L is the deprotonated form of 2-[(2-ethylaminoethylimino)methyl]-5-methoxyphenol, has been prepared and structural characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with unit cell dimensions a = 10.156(1) Å, b = 11.972(1) Å, c = 14.256(2) Å, β = 102.643(3)°, V = 1691.3(3) ų, Z = 2, R ₁ = 0.0394, and wR ₂ = 0.0922. Each Fe atom in the complex is in an octahedral coordination. The Fe...Fe distance is 3.102(1) Å. The thermal stability of the complex was studied.     

Reaction of Mercury(II) Trifluoroacetate with Deprotonated (η6-Toluene)-, (η6-Diphenylmethane)-, and (η6-Triphenylmethane)(η5-cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) Complexes. Mercuration of Some Cationic (Arene)(cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) Complexes

Treatment with mercury(II) trifluoroacetate of deprotonated (⁶-toluene)- and (⁶-diphenyl- methane)(⁵-cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) complexes gave mono-, di-, and trisubstituted [from (⁶-toluene)(⁵-cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) cation] mercury-containing salts. The reaction of mercury(II) trifluoroacetate with deprotonated (⁶-triphenylmethane)(⁵-cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) afforded only the corresponding sym- metric mercury derivative. The same product was obtained by direct mercuration with mercury(II) trifluoroacetate of (⁶-triphenylmethane)(⁵-cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) on heating the reactants in boiling unhydrous ethanol. Reactions of the resulting mercury-containing compounds with acids, symmetrizing bases, and acylating agents were studied.     

Synthesis,physicochemical characterization,and biological activity of nanocomplexes of iron(III) of 3(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl) pyrazolines and dithiophosphoric acid

Complexes of iron(III) with dithiophosphoric acid and 3(2′-hydroxy phenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl) pyrazolines, [Fe(C₆O₁₄O₂PS₂)₂(C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX)], and [Fe(C₆O₁₄O₂PS₂)(C₁₅H₁₂N₂OX)₂], where (C₆O₁₄O₂PS₂H) = dithiophosphoric acid, (C₁₅H₁₃N₂OX) = deprotonated 3(2′-hydroxy phenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)pyrazolines (X?=?H, CH₃, OCH₃, Cl), have been synthesized. These complexes have been physicochemically characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N, S, Cl, and Fe), magnetic moment data, thermogravimetric analysis, molar conductance, cyclic voltammetry, and spectral analysis (UV–visible, IR, and Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry). Scanning electron microscopy, TEM, and PXRD have been carried out for powdered samples, which show nanometric particles of these derivatives. Antibacterial and antifungal potential of free pyrazoline and iron(III) complexes have been evaluated.     

Kinetics and mechanism of substitution of bis(tptz)iron(II) by 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline

The kinetics of substitution of Fe(tptz)²+₂ by 2,2-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline have been investigated in acetate buffers in the 3.6–5.6pH range employing stopped-flow spectrophotometry. These reactions are very fast and complete within 5s. The rate of substitution is linearly dependent on [phen] and [bpy]², and increases with the increase in pH. Suitable mechanisms have been proposed involving the unprotonated form of the entering ligand, viz. bipyridine/phenanthroline as the reactive species. The pK_a values of bipyridine and phenanthroline, determined from the kinetic data, are in agreement with the literature values. It is concluded that the substitutions of iron(II)-diimine complexes also occur by an associative mechanism.     

Synthesis and structure of mono- and dinuclear cyclopentadienyl–indenyl complexes of iron(II) and further reactions to mixed tri- and tetranuclear iron–cobalt complexes

The reaction of a mixture of sodium cyclopentadienide and the monolithium salt or dilithium salt of 2,2-bis(indenyl)propane with FeCl₂ leads to the mononuclear complex [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-ind-C(CH₃)₂-ind)] (ind = 1-indenyl) (1) and the dinuclear complex [{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-ind)}₂C(CH₃)₂] (2), respectively. [(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Fe(tmeda)Cl] reacts with dilithium 1,1′-biindenyl under formation of [{(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Fe}₂(μ-η⁵:η⁵-1,1′-biind)] (4). Due to the annelated arene rings of the η⁵-indenyl ligands, 2 and 4 may act as 4-electron donor ligands, as exemplified by the reaction with the triple-decker complex [{(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Co}₂(μ-η⁶:η⁶-toluene)], which afforded the tetranuclear dimer of triple-decker complexes [{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Co(μ-η⁵:η⁴-1-ind)}₂C(CH₃)₂] (3) and the trinuclear complex [{(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Fe}₂(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Co(μ₃-η⁵:η⁴:η⁵-1,1′-biind)] · Et₂O (5 · Et₂O) by replacement of the central toluene deck, respectively. The [(η⁵-Me₅C₅)Co] fragments of 3 and 5 are bonded via the six-membered rings of the indenyl ligands in a η⁴-fashion. Caused by the coordination to the Co atoms the six-membered rings lose their planarity and adopt a butterfly structure. The coordination geometry of the Fe atoms is similar in all five complexes. Each Fe atom is coordinated by the C atoms of one of the five-membered rings of the indenyl ligands in a slightly distorted η⁵ manner (η³ + η²-coordination) and by a cyclopentadienyl ligand in a regular η⁵-fashion. The structures of 3 and 5 represent the first examples of slipped triple-decker complexes which comprise indenyl ligands in a μ-η⁵:η⁴ coordination mode.     

Electrochemistry and UV/visible spectroscopy of phosphino-substituted bis(η-indenyl)iron(II) complexes

Six phosphino-functionalized diindenyl ferrocenes have been characterized by UV/vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry in dichloromethane. The complexes contain the following ligands: 1-diphenylphosphino- (1), 1-diphenylphosphino-2-methyl- (2), 1-diphenylphosphino-3-methyl- (3), 1-diphenylphosphino-3-trimethylsilyl- (4), 1-diphenylphosphino-2,3-dimethyl- (5), and 1-diphenylphosphino-4,7-dimethyl-indenide (6). The cyclic voltammetry shows an approximately additive relationship between oxidation potential and the type of substituent and its ring position, but with increasing substitution leading to lower than otherwise expected oxidation potentials. The UV/vis spectra show two absorptions with the low energy band moving to lower energy with increasing substitution on the C₅ ring.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and characterization of iron(III) and cobalt(III) complexes bearing 2,2′-bipyridylcarboxylate ligands

Transition Metal Chemistry - The Fe(III) complex [FeIII(bpdc)(Hbpdc)] (1) (bpdc?=?2,2′-bipyridyl-6,6′-dicarboxylate and...     

(Dicarbonyl)(π-cyclohexadienyl)iron iodide,trichlorostannate, and tris(cymantrenecarboxylato)stannate: Synthesis and molecular structures

A reaction of [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(CO)₃]BF₄ with KI in acetone gave brown crystals of the complex [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(CO)₂]I (I), which was treated with SnCl₂ in THF to form orange crystals of the complex [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(CO)₂]SnCl₃ (II). A reaction of complex II with potassium cymantrenecarboxylate ((CO)₃MnC₅H₄COOK, or CymCOOK) in THF yielded yellow crystals of the complex [(η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(CO)₂]Sn(CymCOO)₃ (III). Structures I–III were identified using X-ray diffraction. The fragment (η⁵-C₆H₇)Fe(CO)₂ in complexes I–III remains virtually unchanged. The Fe-I bonds in complex I (2.6407(3) Å) and the Fe-Sn bonds in complexes II and III (2.4854(3) and 2.4787(4) Å, respectively) are appreciably shorter than the sum of the covalent radii of the corresponding elements, probably because of an additional dative interaction of the d electrons of iron with the vacant d orbitals of iodine or tin.     

Coordination chemistry of 1,4-bis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane: Synthesis and characterization of mononuclear and binuclear μ-oxo-bridged iron(III) complexes,and a 1D-helical copper(II) chain

The syntheses of the pentadentate ligand 1,4-bis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (LH₂) and its use in the preparation of [LHCu]ClO₄ (1), and a mononuclear iron(III) complex ([LFeCl] (2)) are reported. The hydrolysis of 2 in the presence of an excess of NaClO₄ resulted in the crystallization of a binuclear complex, [Fe₂(μ-O)L₂] · (NaClO₄)₃ · CH₃OH · 3H₂O (3). The crystal structures of 1–3 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In complex 1, the Cu(II) centre is in square based pyramidal environment, with two nitrogen atoms from the tacn ring and two oxygen atoms from two different carboxylate groups lying in the basal plane and the third nitrogen atom occupying the apical position. One pendant acetic acid group is protonated and, instead of coordinating to the copper(II) centre, participates in hydrogen bonding interactions with the perchlorate counter-ion. The coordinated carboxylate group forms a bridge to the copper atom of an adjacent [LHCu]⁺ molecule, thus generating 1D-helical chains. The compound exhibits weak ferromagnetic coupling probably due to weak interactions between [LHCu]⁺ molecules. In complex 2, the iron(III) centre is in a distorted octahedral geometry, with the fac-coordinated triamine ring, two carboxylate groups and one chloride ligand occupying the coordination sphere. In the binuclear complex 3, two iron(III) centres are bridged by one oxygen atom to form a μ-oxo-diiron(III) complex with an Fe?Fe distance of 3.423(3) Å and a non-linear Fe–O–Fe angle of 144.4°. This binuclear complex features strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the two iron(III) centres.     

Stability and reactivity of ϵ-χ-θ iron carbide catalyst phases in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: controlling μ(C)

The stability and reactivity of ?, χ, and θ iron carbide phases in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts as a function of relevant reaction conditions was investigated by a synergistic combination of experimental and theoretical methods. Combined in situ X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy/X-ray Diffraction/Raman Spectroscopy was applied to study Fe-based catalysts during pretreatment and, for the first time, at relevant high pressure Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions, while Density Functional Theory calculations formed a fundamental basis for understanding the influence of pretreatment and FTS conditions on the formation of bulk iron carbide phases. By combining theory and experiment, it was found that the formation of θ-Fe(3)C, χ-Fe(5)C(2), and ?-carbides can be explained by their relative thermodynamic stability as imposed by gas phase composition and temperature. Furthermore, it was shown that a significant part of the Fe phases was present as amorphous carbide phases during high pressure FTS, sometimes in an equivalent amount to the crystalline iron carbide fraction. A catalyst containing mainly crystalline χ-Fe(5)C(2) was highly susceptible to oxidation during FTS conditions, while a catalyst containing θ-Fe(3)C and amorphous carbide phases showed a lower activity and selectivity, mainly due to the buildup of carbonaceous deposits on the catalyst surface, suggesting that amorphous phases and the resulting textural properties play an important role in determining final catalyst performance. The findings further uncovered the thermodynamic and kinetic factors inducing the ?-χ-θ carbide transformation as a function of the carbon chemical potential μ(C).