Transition metal-mediated reductive coupling of diazoesters

The first transition metal mediated reductive coupling of diazoesters through the terminal nitrogens is reported. The resulting tetrazene-bridged bis(diazenylacetate) serves as a novel dinucleating ligand to iron(III). DFT calculations suggest that the reductive coupling takes place via a kappa(2) intermediate, which induces significant radical character on the terminal nitrogen.