Molecular and electronic structure of five-coordinate complexes of iron(II/III) containing o-diiminobenzosemiquinonate(1-) pi radical ligands

The reaction of the ligand N-phenyl-1,2-benzenediamine (N-phenyl-o-phenylenediamine), H2[L(PDI)], in dry acetonitrile with [FeIII(dmf)6](ClO4)3 (dmf = N,N-dimethylformamide) affords the dimer (mu-NH,NH)[FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))]2 (1), where (L(ISQ))*- represents the pi radical monoanion N-phenyl-o-diiminobenzosemiquinonate and (L(PDI))2- is its one-electron-reduced, closed-shell form. Complex 1 possesses a diamagnetic ground-state St = 0. Addition reactions of tri-n-butylphosphane, tert-butyl isocyanide, cyclohexyl isocyanide, 4,5-diphenylimidazole, and 4-(1-phenylpentyl)pyridine with 1 in acetonitrile or toluene yields [FeII(L(ISQ))2(PBu3)] (2), [Fe(II)(L(ISQ))2(CN-tBu)] (4), [FeII(L(ISQ))2(CNCy)] (5), [FeIII(L(ISQ))2(Ph2Im)] (6), and [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))(BuPhCH-py)].BuPhCH-py (7). Oxidation of 1 with iodine affords [FeIII(L(ISQ))2I] (3), and oxidation of 2 with ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate yields [FeIII(L(ISQ))2(PBu3)](PF6) (2ox). The structures of complexes 2, 2ox, 3, 5, 6, and 7 have been determined by X-ray crystallography at 100(2) K. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and EPR, UV-vis, and M?ssbauer spectroscopy have established that mononuclear complexes containing the [FeII(L(ISQ))2X] chromophore (2, 4, 5) are diamagnetic (St = 0) whereas those with an [FeIII(L(ISQ))2X]n chromophore (3, 2(ox), 6) are paramagnetic (St = 1/2) and those with an [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))X] chromophore (7) possess an St = 1 ground state. It is established that all ferric species have an intrinsic intermediate spin (SFe = 3/2) which is intramolecularly antiferromagnetically coupled to one or two (L(ISQ))*- ligand radicals yielding an St = 1 (7) or St = 1/2 (2ox, 3, 6) ground state, respectively. In the ferrous complexes 2, 4, and 5 the intrinsic spin at the iron ion is either low spin (SFe = 0) or intermediate spin (SFe = 1). Antiferromagnetic coupling between two radicals (L(ISQ))*- or, alternatively, between the intermediate spin ferrous ion and two radicals yields then the observed diamagnetic ground state. In 1 two [FeIII(L(ISQ))(L(PDI))] halves with S = 1 couple antiferromagnetically affording an St = 0 ground state.     

Dinuclear Bis(1,2-diaryl-1,2-ethylenedithiolato)iron complexes: [FeIII2(L)4]n (n = 2-, 1-, 0, 1+)

The electronic structures of four members of the electron-transfer series [Fe2(1L)4]n (n = 2-, 1-, 0, 1+) have been elucidated in some detail by electronic absorption, IR, X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and M?ssbauer spectroscopies where (1L)(2-) represents the ligand 1,2-bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,2-ethylenedithiolate(2-) and (1L*)- is its pi-radical monoanion. It is conclusively shown that all redox processes are ligand-centered and that high-valent iron(IV) is not accessible. The following complexes have been synthesized: [FeIII2(1L*)2(1L)2]0 (1), [FeIII2(2L*)2(2L)2].2CH2Cl2 (1') where (2L)(2-) is 1,2-bis(p-tolyl)-1,2-ethylenedithiolate(2-) and (2L*)- represents its pi-radical monoanion, [Cp2Co][FeIII2(1L*))(1L)3].4(toluene).0.5Et2O (2), and [Cp2Co]2[FeIII2(1L)4].2(toluene) (3). The crystal structures of 1' and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography at 100 K. The ground states of complexes have been determined by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements and EPR spectroscopy: 1' and 1 are diamagnetic (S(t) = 0); 2 (S(t) = 1/2); 3 (S(t) = 0); the monocation [Fe(III)2(1L*)3(1L)]+ possesses an S(t) = 1/2 ground state (S(t) = total spin ground state of dinuclear species). All species contain pairs of intermediate-spin ferric ions (S(Fe) = 3/2), which are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled (H = -2JS(1).S(2), where S1 = S2 = 3/2 and J = approximately -250 cm(-1)).     

Biliverdine-based metalloradicals: sterically enhanced noninnocence

This is a first density functional theory survey of transition-metal biliverdines (Blv), where we have chosen to focus on key Mn, Fe, Co, and Cu complexes. According to the calculations, the complexes are invariably noninnocent, featuring Blv*2- ligand radicals. In this, biliverdine complexes resemble metallocorroles, but the parallels are only approximate. Briefly, metallobiliverdines exhibit a much greater tendency to adopt noninnocent electronic structures than analogous metallocorroles. The O...O nonbonded contacts in biliverdines apparently preclude the formation of short metal-N bonds that, in turn, could stabilize high-valent metal ions. Thus, while most copper corroles (Cor) exhibit diamagnetic CuIII ground states, copper biliverdines are clearly Cu(II)Blv*2- species. In the same spirit, while chloroiron corroles are best described as FeIII(S = 3/2)Cor*2-,the analogous biliverdine derivative seems best described as Fe(III)(S = 5/2)Blv*2-, i.e., featuring a high-spin FeIII center with long (>2.0 A) Fe-N bond distances. Overall, the results highlight the important role that steric effects may play in modulating the electronic structures and the potentially noninnocent nature of transition-metal complexes.     

Molecular and electronic structure of the square planar bis(o-amidobenzenethiolato)iron(III) anion and its bis(o-quinoxalinedithiolato)iron(III) analogue

Crystalline purple [PPh4][FeIIIL2] (1), where L2- represents the closed-shell dianion of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-[(pentafluorophenyl)amino]benzenethiol, has been synthesized from the reaction of H2L and FeBr2 (2:1) in acetonitrile with excess NEt3, careful, brief exposure of the solution to air, and addition of [PPh4]Br. The monoanion has been shown by X-ray crystallography to be square planar. The oxidation of 1 with 1 equiv of iodine produces the neutral species [FeI(L*)2]0 (2) where (L*)1- represents the one-electron oxidized pi radical anion of L2-. The reaction of H2Land PtCl2 (2:1) and NEt3 in CH3CN in the presence of air produced green, crystalline [PtII(L*)2] (3). From temperature dependent(2-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements, it was established that 1 possesses a central intermediate spin ferric ion (SFe ) 3/2), whereas neutral 2 has a doublet ground state (St ) 1/2) comprising an intermediate spin ferric ion coupled antiferromagnetically to two ligand pi radicals (L*)1- (Srad ) 1/2). Complex 3 is diamagnetic. Almeida et al.'s complexes in ref 1, [N(n-Bu)4][FeIII(qdt)2] (A), and [PPh4]2[FeIII2(qdt)4] (B), have been revisited. It is shown here that the square planar anion in mononuclear [FeIII(qdt)2]- also possesses an SFe ) 3/2 ground state. The zero-field M?ssbauer spectra of 1, 2, A, and B have been recorded and the molecular and electronic structures of all mononuclear iron species have been calculated by density functional theoretical methods.It is shown that the S ) 3/2 ground state in 1 and A is lower in energy by 8.5 and 16.6 kcal mol(-1), respectively,than the S ) 1/2 state.     

Molecular and electronic structures of dinuclear iron complexes incorporating strongly electron-donating ligands: implications for the generation of the one- and two-electron oxidized forms

The ligands (L(t-Bu(2)))(2-), (L(Me(2)))(2-), and (L(Cl(2)))(2-) have been employed for the synthesis of the dinuclear Fe(III) complexes [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(t-Bu(2))], [L(Me(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(Me(2))], and [L(Cl(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(Cl(2))]. The strongly electron-donating groups (tert-amines and phenolates) were chosen to increase the electron density at the coordinated ferric ions and thus to facilitate the oxidation of the complexes, with the possibility of fine-tuning the electronic structures by variation of the remote substituents. Molecular structures established in the solid (by single-crystal X-ray diffraction) and in solution (by X-ray absorption spectroscopy) show that the Fe ions are five-coordinate in a square-pyramidal coordination environment with the ligand adopting a trans-conformation. Spectroscopic and magnetic characterization establishes the highly covalent nature of the Fe(III)-O(oxo) and Fe(III)-O(Ph) bonds. The variations in the donor capabilities of the phenolates (due to changes in the remote substituents) are compensated for by a flexible electron donation of the Fe(III)-O(oxo) bonding. Spectroelectrochemical characterization demonstrates that [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(t-Bu(2))] can be oxidized reversibly at +0.27 and +0.44 V versus Fc(+)/Fc, whereas [L(Me(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(Me(2))] and [L(Cl(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(Cl(2))] exhibit irreversible oxidations at +0.29 and +0.87 V versus Fc(+)/Fc, respectively. UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy show that the successive oxidations of [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(t-Bu(2))] are ligand-centered leading to the monophenoxyl radical complex [(?)L(t-Bu(2))Fe(III)(μ-O)Fe(III)L(t-Bu(2))](+) (with the oxidation primarily localized on one-half of the molecule) and the diphenoxyl radical complex [(?)L(t-Bu(2))Fe(III)(μ-O)Fe(III?)L(t-Bu(2))](2+). Both products are unstable in solution and decay by cleavage of an Fe(III)-O(oxo) bond. The two-electron oxidized species is more stable because of two equally strong Fe(III)-O(oxo) bonds, whereas in the singly oxidized species the Fe(III)-O(oxo) bond of the non-oxidized half is weakened. The decay of the monocation results in the formation of [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(III)](+) and [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(IV)=O], while the decay of the dication yields [(?)L(t-Bu(2))Fe(III)](2+) and [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(IV)=O]. Follow-up reactions of the oxidized fragments with the counteranion of the oxidant, [SbCl(6)](-), leads to the formation of [Fe(III)Cl(4)](-).     

Octahedral (cis-cyclam)iron(III) complexes with O,N-coordinated o-iminosemiquinonate(1-) pi radicals and o-imidophenolate(2-) anions

Three octahedral complexes containing a (cis-cyclam)iron(III) moiety and an O,N-coordinated o-iminobenzosemiquinonate pi radical anion have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography at 100 K: [Fe(cis-cyclam)(L(1-3)(ISQ))](PF(6))(2) (1-3), where (L(1-3)(ISQ)) represents the monoanionic pi radicals derived from one-electron oxidations of the respective dianion of o-imidophenolate(2-), L(1), 2-imido-4,6-di-tert-butylphenolate(2-), L(2), and N-phenyl-2-imido-4,6-di-tert-butylphenolate(2-), L(3). Compounds 1-3 possess an S(t) = 0 ground state, which is attained via strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between a low-spin central ferric ion (S(Fe) = 1/2) and an o-imino-benzosemiquinonate(1-) pi radical (S(rad) = 1/2). Zero-field M?ssbauer spectra of 1-3 at 80 K confirm the low-spin ferric electron configuration: isomer shift delta = 0.26 mm s(-1) and quadrupole splitting DeltaE(Q) = 1.96 mm s(-1) for 1, 0.28 and 1.93 for 2, and 0.33 and 1.88 for 3. All three complexes undergo a reversible, one-electron reduction of the coordinated o-imino-benzosemiquinonate ligand, yielding an [Fe(III)(cis-cyclam)(L(1-3)(IP))](+) monocation. The monocations of 1 and 2 display very similar rhombic signals in the X-band EPR spectra (g = 2.15, 2.12, and 1.97), indicative of low-spin ferric species. In contast, the monocation of 3 contains a high-spin ferric center (S(Fe) = 5/2) as is deduced from its M?ssbauer and EPR spectra.     

Iron(III) complex of a crown ether-porphyrin conjugate and reversible binding of superoxide to its Iron(II) form

The synthesis and characterization of the Fe(III) complex of a novel crown ether-porphyrin conjugate, 52-N-(4-aza-18-crown-6)methyl-54,104,154,204-tetra-tert-butyl-56-methyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (H2Porph), as well as the corresponding hydroxo, dimeric, Fe(II), and peroxo species are reported. The crystal structure of [FeIII(Porph)Cl].H3O+.FeCl4-.C6H6.EtOH is also reported. [FeIII(Porph)(DMSO)2]+ and K[FeIII(Porph)(O22-)] are high-spin species (M?ssbauer data: delta = 0.38 mm s(-1), DeltaEq = 0.83 mm s(-1) and delta = 0.41 mm s(-1), DeltaEq = 0.51 mm s(-1), respectively), whereas in a solution of reduced [FeIII(Porph)(DMSO)2]+ complex the low-spin [FeII(Porph)(DMSO)2] (delta = 0.44 mm s(-1), DeltaEq = 1.32 mm s(-1)) and high-spin [FeII(Porph)(DMSO)] (delta = 1.27 mm s(-1), DeltaEq = 3.13 mm s(-1)) iron(II) species are observed. The reaction of [FeIII(Porph)(DMSO)2]+ with KO2 in DMSO has been investigated. The first reaction step, involving reduction to [FeII(Porph)(DMSO)2], was not investigated in detail because of parallel formation of an Fe(III)-hydroxo species. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the second reaction step, reversible binding of superoxide to the Fe(II) complex and formation of an Fe(III)-peroxo species, were studied in detail (by stopped-flow time-resolved UV/vis measurements in DMSO at 25 degrees C), resulting in kon = 36 500 +/- 500 M(-1) s(-1), koff = 0.21 +/- 0.01 s(-1) (direct measurements using an acid as a superoxide scavenger), and KO2- = (1.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(5) (superoxide binding constant kinetically obtained as kon/koff), (1.4 +/- 0.1) x 10(5), and (9.0 +/- 0.1) x 10(4) M(-1) (thermodynamically obtained in the absence and in the presence of 0.1 M NBu4PF6, respectively). Temperature-dependent kinetic measurements for kon (-40 to 25 degrees C in 3:7 DMSO/CH3CN mixture) yielded the activation parameters DeltaH = 61.2 +/- 0.9 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS = +48 +/- 3 J K(-1) mol(-1). The observed reversible binding of superoxide to the metal center and the obtained kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are unique. The finding that fine-tuning of the proton concentration can cause the Fe(III)-peroxo species to release O2- and form an Fe(II) species is of biological interest, since this process might occur under very specific physiological conditions.     

Electronic structure of mononuclear bis(1,2-diaryl-1,2-ethylenedithiolato)iron complexes containing a fifth cyanide or phosphite ligand: a combined experimental and computational study

A series of mononuclear square-based pyramidal complexes of iron containing two 1,2-diaryl-ethylene-1,2-dithiolate ligands in various oxidation levels has been synthesized. The reaction of the dinuclear species [Fe(III)2(1L*)2(1L)2]0, where (1L)2- is the closed shell di-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,2-ethylenedithiolate dianion and (1L*)1- is its one-electron-oxidized pi-radical monoanion, with [N(n-Bu)4]CN in toluene yields dark green crystals of mononuclear [N(n-Bu)4][Fe(II)(1L*)2(CN)] (1). The oxidation of 1 with ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate yields blue [Fe(III)(1L*)2(CN)] (1ox), and analogously, a reduction with [Cp2Co] yields [Cp2Co][N(n-Bu)4][Fe(II)(1L*)(1L)(CN)] (1red); oxidation of the neutral dimer with iodine gives [Fe(III)(1L*)2I] (2). The dimer reacts with the phosphite P(OCH3)3 to yield [Fe(II)(1L*)2{P(OCH3)3}] (3), and [Fe(III)2(3L*)2(3L)2] reacts with P(OC6H5)3 to give [Fe(II)(3L*)2{P(OC6H5)3}] (4), where (3L)2- represents 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethylenedithiolate(2-). Both 3 and 4 were electrochemically one-electron oxidized to the monocations 3ox and 4ox and reduced to the monoanions 3red and 4red. The structures of 1 and 4 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All compounds have been studied by magnetic susceptibility measurements, X-band EPR, UV-vis, IR, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies. The following five-coordinate chromophores have been identified: (a) [Fe(III)(L*)2X]n, X = CN-, I- (n = 0) (1ox, 2); X = P(OR)3 (n = 1+) )3ox, 4ox) with St = 1/2, SFe = 3/2; (b) [Fe(II)(L*)2X]n, X = CN-, (n = 1-) (1); X = P(OR)3 (n = 0) (3, 4) with St = SFe = 0; (c) [Fe(II)(L*)(L)X]n <--> [Fe(II)(L)(L*)X]n, X = CN- (n = 2-) (1red); X = P(OR)3 (n = 1-) (3red, 4red) with St = 1/2, SFe = 0 (or 1). Complex 1ox displays spin crossover behavior: St = 1/2 <--> St = 3/2 with intrinsic spin-state change SFe = 3/2 <--> SFe = 5/2. The electronic structures of 1 and 1(ox) have been established by density functional theoretical calculations: [Fe(II)(1L*)2(CN)]1- (SFe = 0, St = 0) and [Fe(III)(1L*)2(CN)]0 (SFe = 3/2, St = 1/2).     

meso Substituent effects on the geometric and electronic structures of high-spin and low-spin iron(III) complexes of mono-meso-substituted octaethylporphyrins

Introduction of a single meso substituent into ClFe(III)(OEP) or K[(NC)(2)Fe(OEP)] results in significant changes in the geometric and/or spectroscopic properties of these complexes. The mono-meso-substituted iron(III) complexes ClFe(III)(meso-Ph-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-n-Bu-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-MeO-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-Cl-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-NC-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-HC(O)-OEP), and ClFe(III)(meso-O(2)N-OEP) have been isolated and characterized by their UV/vis and paramagnetically shifted (1)H NMR spectra. The structures of both ClFe(III)(meso-Ph-OEP) and ClFe(III)(meso-NC-OEP) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Both molecules have five-coordinate structures typical for high-spin (S = 5/2) iron(III) complexes. However, the porphyrins themselves no longer have the domed shape seen in ClFe(III)(OEP), and the N(4) coordination environment possesses a slight rectangular distortion. These high-spin, mono-meso-substituted iron(III) complexes display (1)H NMR spectra in chloroform-d solution which indicate that the conformational changes seen in the solid-state structures are altered by normal molecular motion to produce spectra consistent with C(s) molecular symmetry. In pyridine solution the high-spin six-coordinate complexes [(py)ClFe(III)(meso-R-OEP)] form. In methanol solution in the presence of excess potassium cyanide, the low-spin six-coordinate complexes K[(NC)(2)Fe(III)(meso-R-OEP)] form. The (1)H NMR spectra of these show that electron-donating substituents produce an upfield relocation of the meso-proton chemical shifts. This relocation is interpreted in terms of increased contribution from the less common (d(xz),d(yz))(4)(d(xy))(1) ground electronic state as the meso substituent becomes more electron donating.     

Photoexcitation and relaxation dynamics of catecholato-iron(III) spin-crossover complexes.

The photophysical properties of the ferric catecholate spin-crossover compounds [(TPA)Fe(R-Cat)]X (TPA=tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; X=PF(6) (-), BPh(4) (-); R-Cat=catecholate dianion substituted by R=NO(2), Cl, or H) are investigated in the solid state. The catecholate-to-iron(III) charge-transfer bands are sensitive both to the spin state of the metal ion and the charge-transfer interactions associated with the different catecholate substituents. Vibronic progressions are identified in the near-infrared (NIR) absorption of the low-spin species. Evidence for a low-temperature photoexcitation process is provided. The relaxation dynamics between 10 and 100 K indicate a pure tunneling process below approximately 40 K, and a thermally activated region at higher temperatures. The relaxation rate constants in the tunneling regime at low temperature, k(HL)(T-->0), vary in the range from 0.58 to 8.84 s(-1). These values are in qualitative agreement with the inverse energy-gap law and with structural parameters. A comparison with ferrous spin-crossover complexes shows that the high-spin to low-spin relaxation is generally faster for ferric complexes, owing to the smaller bond length changes for the latter. However, in the present case the corresponding rate constants are smaller than expected based on the single configurational coordinate model. This is attributed to the combined influence of the electronic configuration and the molecular geometry.     

High-spin iron(II) as a semitransparent partner for tuning europium(III) luminescence in heterodimetallic d-f complexes

The segmental ligand 2-[6-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)pyridin-2-yl]-1,1'-dimethyl-5,5'-methylene-2'-(6-methylpyridine-2-yl)bis[1H-benzimidazole] (L3) reacts with a stoichiometric mixture of LnIII (Ln = La, Eu, Gd) and M(II) (M = Zn, Fe) in acetonitrile to produce selectively the heterodimetallic triple-stranded helicates (HHH)-[LnM(L3)3]5+. In these complexes, M(II) is pseudooctahedrally coordinated by the three wrapped bidentate binding units, thus forming a noncovalent tripod which organizes the three unsymmetrical tridentate segments to give ninefold coordination to LnIII. The introduction of a methyl group at the 6 position of the terminal pyridine in L3 sterically reduces the complexing ability of the bidentate segment for M(II). Spectroscopic (ESI-MS, UV/Vis/NIR, NMR), magnetic and electrochemical measurements show that 1) the head-to-head-to-head triple helical complexes (HHH)-[LnM(L3)3]5+ are quantitatively formed in solution only for ligand concentrations larger than 0.01 M, 2) FeII adopts a pure high-spin electronic configuration in (HHH)-[LnFe(L3)3]5+ and 3) the FeII/FeIII oxidation process is prevented by steric constraints. Detailed photophysical studies of (HHH)-[Eu-Zn(L3)3]5+ confirm that the pseudotricapped trigonal-prismatic lanthanide coordination site is not affected by the methyl groups bound to the terminal pyridine, thus leading to significant Eu-centered emission upon UV irradiation. In (HHH)-[EuFe(L3)3]5+, a resonant intramolecular Eu-->Fe(II)hs energy transfer partially quenches the Eu-centered luminescence; however, the residual red emission demonstrates that high-spin iron(II) is compatible with the sensitization of Eu(III) in heterodimetallic d-f complexes. The influence of the electronic configuration of Fe(II) on the efficiency of Eu(III)-->Fe(II) energy-transfer processes is discussed together with its consequence for the design of optically active spin-crossover supramolecular devices.     

A phenolate-induced trans influence: crystallographic evidence for unusual asymmetric coordination of an alpha-diimine in ternary complexes of iron(III) possessing biologically relevant hetero-donor N-centered tripodal ligands

Three mononuclear ternary complexes of iron(III) with an alpha-diimine (bipy or phen) and a derivative of N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)glycinate (L3-) have been synthesized and characterized by magnetic susceptibility measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of the pseudo-octahedral complexes [Fe(bipy)L] x MeCN [L = (3,5-Br2)-L3- or (5,3-Cl,Me)-L3-] revealed a considerable and consistent distortion in the coordination of bipy to iron(III) attributable largely to electronic effects. In both crystal structures, the Fe-N(pyridyl) bond trans to the phenolate oxygen is 0.133 A longer than the other one positioned trans to the tertiary amine nitrogen, a relatively weaker donor. This coordination behavior of bipy is of structural interest and has not been observed previously for iron(III). The electronic and EPR spectra of the compounds [Fe(L'-L')L] x MeCN (L'-L' = bipy or phen) are consistent with the spin state of the central metal atom (S = 5/2). The charge-transfer transitions arising from the strong interactions of the phenolate moieties with the ferric ion have been identified as phenolate (p(pi)) --> iron(III) (d(pi*)) (lambda(max) approximately 500 nm, epsilon approximately 3000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and phenolate (p(pi)) --> iron(III) (d(sigma*) (lambda(max) approximately 320 nm, epsilon approximately 5200 M(-1) cm(-1)). The presence of the phenolate moieties in the quadridentate hetero-donor tripodal ligands, H3L, lends these iron(III) ternary complexes the potential to model the specific metal-coordination, metal-substrate interactions, and physicochemical behaviors of several iron-tyrosinate proteins.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of the oxalato-bridged mixed-valence complexes (FeII(bpm)3]2[FeIII2(ox)5].8H2O and FeII(bpm)3Na(H2O)2Fe(ox)(3).4H2O (bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine)

The preparation and crystal structures of two oxalato-bridged FeII-FeIII mixed-valence compounds, [FeII(bpm)3]2[FeIII2(ox)5].8H2O (1) and FeII(bpm)3Na(H2O)2FeIII(ox)(3).4H2O (2) (bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine; ox = oxalate dianion) are reported here. Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 10.998(2) A, b = 13.073(3) A, c = 13.308(3) A, alpha = 101.95(2) degrees, beta = 109.20(2) degrees, gamma = 99.89(2) degrees, and Z = 1. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 12.609(2) A, b = 19.670(5) A, c = 15.843(3) A, beta = 99.46(1) degrees, and Z = 4. The structure of complex 1 consists of centrosymmetric oxalato-bridged dinuclear high-spin iron(III) [Fe2(ox)5]2- anions, tris-chelated low-spin iron(II) [Fe(bpm)3]2+ cations, and lattice water molecules. The iron atoms are hexacoordinated: six oxygen atoms (iron(III)) from two bidentate and one bisbidentate oxalato ligands and six nitrogen atoms (iron(II)) from three bidentate bpm groups. The Fe(III)-O(ox) and Fe(II)-N(bpm) bond distances vary in the ranges 1.967(3)-2.099(3) and 1.967(4)-1.995(3) A, respectively. The iron(III)-iron(III) separation across the bridging oxalato is 5.449(2) A, whereas the shortest intermolecular iron(III)-iron(II) distance is 6.841(2) A. The structure of complex 2 consists of neutral heterotrinuclear Fe(bpm)2Na(H2O)2Fe(ox)3 units and water molecules of crystallization. The tris-chelated low-spin iron(II) ([Fe(bpm)3]2+) and high-spin iron(III) ([Fe(ox)3]3-) entities act as bidentate ligands (through two bpm-nitrogen and two oxalato-oxygen atoms, respectively) toward the univalent sodium cation, yielding the trinuclear (bpm)2Fe(II)-bpm-Na(I)-ox-Fe(III)(ox)2 complex. Two cis-coordinated water molecules complete the distorted octahedral surrounding of the sodium atom. The ranges of the Fe(II)-N(bpm) and Fe(III)-O(ox) bond distances [1.968(6)-1.993(5) and 1.992(6)-2.024(6) A, respectively] compare well with those observed in 1. The Na-N(bpm) bond lengths (2.548(7) and 2.677(7) A) are longer than those of Na-O(ox) (2.514(7) and 2.380(7) A) and Na-O(water) (2.334(15) and 2.356(12) A). The intramolecular Fe(II)...Fe(III) separation is 6.763(2) A, whereas the shortest intermolecular Fe(II)...Fe(II) and Fe(III)...Fe(III) distances are 8.152(2) and 8.992(2) A, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 2.0-290 K for 1 reveal that the high-spin iron(III) ions are antiferromagnetically coupled (J = -6.6 cm-1, the Hamiltonian being defined as H = -JS1.S2). The magnitude of the antiferromagnetic coupling through the bridging oxalato in the magneto-structurally characterized family of formula [M2(ox)5](2m-10)+ (M = Fe(III) (1), Cr(III), and Ni(II)) is analyzed and discussed by means of a simple orbital model.     

Thermally induced two-step, two-site incomplete 6A1<-->2T2 crossover in a mononuclear iron(III) phenolate-pyridyl Schiff-base complex: a rare crystallographic observation of the coexistence of pure S=5/2 and 1/2 metal centers in the asymmetric unit

The six-coordinate mononuclear iron(III) complexes [Fe(salpm)2]ClO(4).0.5EtOH, [Fe(salpm)2]Cl, [Fe{(3,5-tBu2)-salpm}2]X (X=ClO4- or Cl-), and [Fe{(3,5-tBu2)-salpm}2]NO(3).2H2O [Hsalpm=N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)salicylideneamine; H(3,5-tBu2)-salpm=N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneamine] have been synthesized and isolated in crystalline form; their chemical identities have been ascertained by elemental analyses, FAB mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy. The room-temperature effective magnetic moments [(8chiMT)1/2 approximately 5.85-5.90 microB] of these complexes are consistent with the high-spin (S=5/2) ground state. These complexes are intensely colored on account of the strong ppi-->dpi* LMCT visible absorptions. Definitive evidence for the structures of [Fe(salpm)2]ClO(4).0.5EtOH and [Fe{(3,5-tBu2)-salpm}2]NO(3).2H2O has been provided by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The monomeric complex cations in both compounds comprise two uninegative phenolate-pyridyl tridentate Schiff-base ligands coordinated meridionally to the iron(III) to afford a distorted octahedral geometry with a trans,cis,cis-[FeO2N4] core. Whereas [Fe(salpm)2]ClO(4).0.5EtOH undergoes a thermally induced 6A1<-->2T2 crossover, [Fe{(3,5-tBu2)-salpm}2]NO(3).2H2O retains its spin state in the solid state down to 5 K. However, EPR spectroscopy reveals that the latter complex does exhibit a spin transformation in solution, albeit to a much lesser extent than does the former. The spin crossover in [Fe(salpm)2]ClO(4).0.5EtOH has resulted in an unprecedented crystallographic observation of the coexistence of high-spin and low-spin iron(III) complex cations in equal proportions around 100 K. At room temperature, the two crystallographically distinct ferric centers are both high spin; however, one [Fe(salpm)2]+ complex cation undergoes a complete spin transition over the temperature range approximately 200-100 K, whereas the other converts very nearly completely between 100 and 65 K; approximately 10% of the complex cations in [Fe(salpm)2]ClO(4).0.5EtOH remain in the high-spin state down to 5 K.     

Mixed-valent [FeIV(mu-O)(mu-carboxylato)2FeIII]3+ core

The symmetrically ligated complexes 1, 2, and 3 with a (mu-oxo)bis(mu-acetato)diferric core can be one-electron oxidized electrochemically or chemically with aminyl radical cations [*NR3][SbCl6] in acetonitrile yielding complexes which contain the mixed-valent [(mu-oxo)bis(mu-acetato)iron(IV)iron(III)]3+ core: [([9]aneN3)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2](ClO4)2 (1(ClO4)2), [(Me3[9]aneN3)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2](PF6)2 (2(PF6)(2)), and [(tpb)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2] (3) where ([9]aneN3) is the neutral triamine 1,4,7-triazacyclononane and (Me3[9]aneN3) is its tris-N-methylated derivative, and (tpb)(-) is the monoanion trispyrazolylborate. The asymmetrically ligated complex [(Me3[9]aneN3)FeIII(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2FeIII(tpb)](PF6) (4(PF6)) and its one-electron oxidized form [4ox]2+ have also been prepared. Finally, the known heterodinuclear species [(Me3[9]aneN3)CrIII(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2Fe([9]aneN3)](PF6)2 (5(PF6)(2)) can also be one-electron oxidized yielding [5ox]3+ containing an iron(IV) ion. The structure of 4(PF6).0.5CH3CN.0.25(C2H5)2O has been determined by X-ray crystallography and that of [5ox]2+ by Fe K-edge EXAFS-spectroscopy (Fe(IV)-O(oxo): 1.69(1) A; Fe(IV)-O(carboxylato) 1.93(3) A, Fe(IV)-N 2.00(2) A) contrasting the data for 5 (Fe(III)-O(oxo) 1.80 A; Fe(III)-O(carboxylato) 2.05 A, Fe-N 2.20 A). [5ox]2+ has an St = 1/2 ground state whereas all complexes containing the mixed-valent [FeIV(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2FeIII]3+ core have an St = 3/2 ground state. M?ssbauer spectra of the oxidized forms of complexes clearly show the presence of low spin FeIV ions (isomer shift approximately 0.02 mm s(-1), quadrupole splitting approximately 1.4 mm s(-1) at 80 K), whereas the high spin FeIII ion exhibits delta approximately 0.46 mm s(-1) and DeltaE(Q) approximately 0.5 mm s(-1). M?ssbauer, EPR spectral and structural parameters have been calculated by density functional theoretical methods at the BP86 and B3LYP levels. The exchange coupling constant, J, for diiron complexes with the mixed-valent FeIV-FeIII core (H = -2J S1.S2; S(1) = 5/2; S2 = 1) has been calculated to be -88 cm(-1) (intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling) and for the reduced diferric form of -75 cm(-1) in reasonable agreement with experiment (J = -120 cm(-1)).     

Iron complexes of new pentadentate ligands containing the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4-diacetate motif. spectroscopic, electro-, and photochemical studies

Three new pentadentate, pendent arm macrocycles containing the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4-diacetate motif have been synthesized, and their coordination chemistry with Fe(III) has been investigated. Eight new octahedral Fe(III) complexes containing chloro, azido, or mu-oxo ligands have been synthesized, five of which have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Spectroscopic characterization of these octahedral Fe(III) complexes by UV-vis, IR, electrochemistry, EPR, magnetic susceptibility, and zero-field M?ssbauer measurements firmly establishes the high-spin state of the iron in all complexes. Electrochemistry studies of the azido-Fe(III) complexes show that they can be reversibly oxidized to the corresponding Fe(IV) species at -20 degrees C, and Fe(II), Fe(III), and Fe(IV) species show characteristic IR and UV-vis profiles. Photolysis of one of the azido complexes was studied as a function of temperature (room temperature vs 77 K) and wavelength (480, 419, and 330 nm). Photoreduction to a high-spin Fe(II) species occurs under all conditions, which is proposed to be the dominant photochemical pathway generally available to high-spin ferric azido complexes.     

Electronic structure and reactivity of high-spin iron--alkyl- and--pterinperoxo complexes

The spectroscopic properties and electronic structure of the four-coordinate high-spin [FeIII(L3)(OOtBu)]+ complex (1; L3 = hydrotris(3-tert-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate; tBu = tert-butyl) are investigated and compared to the six-coordinated high-spin [Fe(6-Me3TPA)(OHx)(OOtBu)]x+ system (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, x = 1 or 2) studied earlier [Lehnert, N.; Ho, R. Y. N.; Que, L., Jr.; Solomon, E. I. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 12802-12816]. Complex 1 is characterized by Raman features at 889 and 830 cm-1 which are assigned to the O-O stretch (mixed with the symmetric C-C stretch) and a band at 625 cm-1 that corresponds to nu(Fe-O). The UV-vis spectrum shows a charge-transfer (CT) transition at 510 nm from the alkylperoxo pi v* (v = vertical to C-O-O plane) to a d orbital of Fe(III). A second CT is identified from MCD at 370 nm that is assigned to a transition from pi h* (h = horizontal to C-O-O plane) to an Fe(III) d orbital. For the TPA complex the pi v* CT is at 560 nm while the pi h* CT is to higher energy than 250 nm. These spectroscopic differences between four- and six-coordinate Fe(III)-OOR complexes are interpreted on the basis of their different ligand fields. In addition, the electronic structure of Fe-OOPtn complexes with the biologically relevant pterinperoxo ligand are investigated. Substitution of the tert-butyl group in 1 by pterin leads to the corresponding Fe(III)-OOPtn species (2), which shows a stronger electron donation from the peroxide to Fe(III) than 1. This is related to the lower ionization potential of pterin. Reduction of 2 by one electron leads to the Fe(II)-OOPtn complex (3), which is relevant as a model for potential intermediates in pterin-dependent hydroxylases. However, in the four-coordinate ligand field of 3, the additional electron is located in a nonbonding d orbital of iron. Hence, the pterinperoxo ligand is not activated for heterolytic cleavage of the O-O bond in this system. This is also evident from the calculated reaction energies that are endothermic by at least 20 kcal/mol.     

1H NMR investigation of high-spin and low-spin iron(III) meso-ethynylporphyrins

The 1H NMR spectra of iron(III) 5-ethynyl-10,15,20-tri(p-tolyl)porphyrin [(ETrTP)Fe(III)X(n)], iron(III) 5-(phenylethynyl)-10,15,20-tri(p-tolyl)porphyrin [(PETrTP)Fe(III)X(n)], iron(III) 5-(phenylbutadiynyl)-10,15,20-tri(p-tolyl)porphyrin [(PBTrTP)Fe(III)X(n)], iron(III) 5,10,15,20-tetra(phenylethynyl)porphyrin [(TPEP)Fe(III)X(n)], iron(III) 1,4-bis-[10,15,20-tri(p-tolyl)porphyrin-5-yl]-1,3-butadiyne {[(TrTP)Fe(III)X(n)]2 B}, and 5,10,15-triphenylporphyrin [(TrPP)Fe(III)X(n)] have been studied to elucidate the impact of meso-ethynyl substitution on the electronic structure and spin density distribution of high-spin (X = Cl-, n = 1) and low-spin (X = CN-, n = 2) derivatives. The meso substituents, i.e., ethynyl, phenylethynyl, and phenylbutadiynyl, provided insight into the efficiency of spin density delocalization along structural elements that are typically applied to transmit electronic effects along multipart polyporphyrinic systems. The positive spin density localized at the meso-carbon of high-spin iron(III) ethynylporphyrins is effectively delocalized along the ethyne or butadiyne fragment as illustrated by the comparison of isotropic shifts of C(meso)-H and -CC-H determined for (TrPP)Fe(III)Cl (-82.6 ppm, 293 K) and (ETrTP)Fe(III)Cl (-49.5 ppm, 298 K). The replacement of the ethynyl hydrogen by phenyl or phenylethynyl provided evidence for the pi spin density distribution around the introduced phenyl ring. An analysis of the isotropic shifts for the low-spin bis-cyanide iron(III) porphyrins series reveals the analogous mechanism of spin density transfer. Treatment of high-spin [(TrTP)Fe(III)Cl]2 B with a base resulted in formation of the cyclic [(TrTP)Fe(III)OFe(III)(TrTP)B]2 complex linked by two mu-oxo bridges. (TPEP)H2 has been characterized by X-ray crystallography as a porphyrin dication where two molecules of trifluoroacetic acid associate with two coordinated trifluoroacetate anions. The X-ray structure of bis-tetrahydrofuran 1,4-bis[10,15,20-tri(p-tolyl)porphyrinatozinc(II)-5-yl]-1,3-butadiyne complex {[(TrTP)Zn(II)(THF)]2 B} reveals two parallel, non-coplanar [(TrTP)Zn(THF)] subunits linked by the linear butadiyne moiety.