Tetrairon Complex with Bridging 1,2-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane: Synthesis, Structure, and Electrochemistry

We describe the synthesis and structural characterization of a tetrairon complex with bridged 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe). The parent complex [Fe-2(CO)(6){mu-SCH2CH(CH2O2CPh)S}] (1) reacted with 0.5 equivalent of dppe together with Me3NO center dot 2H(2)O as a decarbonylation agent to form the complex [{Fe-2(CO)(5){mu-SCH2CH(CH2O2CPh)S}}(2)(dppe)] (2) in 74% yield. New complex 2 was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, H-1, P-31{H-1}, C-13{H-1} nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, electrochemical studies showed that complex 2 could catalyze the reduction of protons to H-2 in the presence of HOAc.

Automated summary

The synthesis and structural characterization of a tetrairon complex with bridged dppe is described. The complex showed catalytic activity for the reduction of protons to H-2.