Nitrogen-ligated iron complexes: photolytic approach to the FeN+ moiety

The synthesis of (PNP)FeCl, (PNP)FeNH(xylyl)], and (PNP)FeN3 are reported(PNP = (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N-). While the azide is thermally stable, it is photosensitive to lose N2 and form (PNPN)Fe]2,in which the nitride ligand has formed a double bond to one phosphorus, and this N bridges to a second iron to form a 2-fold symmetric dimer. The reaction energy to form the (undetected) monomeric eta3- tBu2PCH2SiMe2NSiMe2CH2PtBu2N]Fe is -15.9 kcal/mol, so this PIII --> PV oxidation is favorable. The eta2 version of this same species is less stable by 23.7 kcal/mol, which shows that the loss of one P--> Fe bond is caused by dimerization, and therefore, it does not precede and cause dimerization. A comparison is made to Ru analogs.