Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The isolobal relationship between imidazolin-2-iminato and cyclopentadienyl ligands makes the iron bis(imidazolin-2-iminato) complex (Im R N) 2 Fe an attractive target as a potential ferrocene analog, yet reported efforts toward its isolation have been unsuccessful. Herein, we report the synthesis of (Im Dipp N) 2 Fe ( 1 ) by protonolysis of Fe 2 Mes 4 with Im Dipp NH, affording a linear, two-coordinate, high-spin Fe(II) complex (S = 2). Its coordinative unsaturation permits binding of THF, an aryl isocyanide, and TEMPO, affording complexes with varied geometries. Unlike ferrocene, the electrochemical properties of 1 depend strongly on its ancillary ligands. Oxidation with AgPF 6 affords a Ag-bound Fe(II) intermediate 1-Ag that undergoes photochemical conversion to the Fe(III) complex [(Im Dipp N) 2 Fe(Solv) 2 ][PF 6 ] ( 2 ). These results establish 1 as a distinct low-coordinate iron complex whose coordination and redox chemistry extend beyond its proposed ferrocene analogy.
Source: ChemRxiv
Language: English
Subfield: Organic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7222664776