Intervalence electron transfer through a thiolate bridge ligand: a Fe–S–R–Fe mixed valence complex

The reaction of Cp(dppe)FeI with the ligands 2,2′- and 4,4′-dithiobispyridine (S₂(Py)₂) give the mononuclear or binuclear complexes of the type Cp(dppe)Fe-S₂(Py)₂]PF₆, Cp(dppe)Fe---SPy]PF₆ or {Cp(dppe)Fe}₂-μ-SPy](PF₆)₂ depending on the reaction condition. Reaction of Cp(dppe)FeI with dithiobispyridines in presence of TlPF₆ as halide abstractor and using CH₂Cl₂ as a solvent gives the complexes Cp(dppe)Fe-4,4′-S₂(Py)₂)₂]PF₆ (1) and CpFe(dppe)-2,2′-S₂(Py)₂]PF₆ (2) whereas the same reaction using CH₃OH as a solvent and NH₄PF₆ as the halide abstractor leads to the formation of the Fe^III–thiolate complex Cp(dppe)Fe-2,2′-SPy]PF₆ (3) and the mixed-valence complex Cp(dppe)Fe^III-μSPy-Fe^II(dppe)Cp](PF₆)₂ (4). Magnetic and ESR measurements are in agreement with one unpaired electron delocalized between them. Mössbauer data indicate clearly the presence of two different iron sites, each one of the N-bonded and S-bonded iron atoms, with intermediate oxidation state Fe^II---Fe^III. An electron transfer intervalence absorption was observed for this complex at 780 nm (in CH₂Cl₂). By applying the Hush theory the intervalence parameters were obtained; =0.028, H_ab=361 cm⁻¹ which indicate Class II Robin–Day. Estimation of the rate electron transfer affords a value k_th=6.5×10⁶ s⁻¹. Solvent effect on the intervalence transition follow the Hush prediction for high dielectric constants solvents which permit the evaluation of the outer and inner-sphere reorganizational parameters, which were analyzed and discussed. The electronic interaction parameters compare well with those found for electron transfer in metalloproteins.