Chalcogen-atom abstraction reactions of a Di-iron imidophosphorane complex

Reaction of the complexes [Fe2(mu(2)-NP(pip)(3))(2)(NP(pip)(3))(2)] (1-Fe) and [Co-2(mu(2)-NP(pip)(3))(2)(NP(pip)(3))(2)] (1-Co), where [NP(pip)(3)](1) - is tris(piperidinyl)imidophosphorane, with nitrous oxide, S-8, or Se-0 results in divergent reactivity. With nitrous oxide, 1-Fe forms [Fe-2(mu(2)-O) (mu(2)-NP(pip)(3))(2)(NP(pip)(3))(2)] (2-Fe), with a very short Fe3+-Fe3+ distance. Reactions of 1-Fe with S-8 or Se-0 result in the bridging, side-on coordination (mu-kappa(1): kappa(1)-E-2(2 -)) of the heavy chalcogens in complexes [Fe-2(mu-kappa(1): kappa(1)-E-2)(mu(2)-NP(pip)(3))(2)(NP(pip)(3))(2)] (E = S, 3-Fe, or Se, 4-Fe). In all cases, the complex 1-Co is inert.

Automated summary

The study investigates the reactivity of complexes with nitrous oxide, S-8, or Se-0, revealing different reactivity of Fe complexes and inertness of Co complexes.