A new structural type in iron carboxylate cluster chemistry via use of bis-bipyridine ligands: [Fe6O4Cl4(O2CPh)4L2][FeCl4]2

Abstract

The reaction between FeCl₃, NaO₂CPh and L [L = 1,2-bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-6-yl)ethane] in MeCN gives the title complex 1 whose cation contains an unusual [Fe₆(µ₃-O)₄]¹⁰⁺ core, whereas in MeOH the dinuclear complex [Fe₂(OMe)₂Cl₂(O₂CPh)L][FeCl₄] 2 is obtained; magnetic studies indicate that the cations of 1 and 2 both have S = 0 ground states, consistent with the expected antiferromagnetic exchange interactions.