A Spectroscopic Study of Polynuclear Complex of Iron(III) with Inuline Oligomers

The infrared spectra of the hydrates of inuline oligomers and the complex of iron(III) with inuline oligomers and their partial deuterated analogs were studied. From the appearance and frequencies of the bands in the range of OH and OD vibrations it was concluded that these crystalohydrates have one type of H₂O molecule, and relatively weak hydrogen bond (estimated O_w…O distances are 280 and 283 pm for inuline and its complex, respectively). From the FTIR spectra of the complex the β₂-form for iron(III) oxihydroxide (FeOOH) was determined. On the basis of the electron spin resonance spectra it was concluded that Fe⁺³ ions of octahedral configuration (g-value 2.03 ± 0.01) were present in the complex. From the measured ESR line width (ΔH = 100 ± 5 mT) the approximate Fe inter atomic distance of 0.21 nm was calculated, indicating a dense packing of Fe atoms in the cluster.