A new iron(III) ion sequestering ligand: synthesis, solution chemistry and electrochemistry

Abstract

A new cyclic diaminodihydroxamic ligand, piperazine-1,4-bis(N-methylacetohydroxamic acid)(H₂L²), presenting a reasonable analogy with the naturally occurring siderophore rhodotorulic acid (H₂L¹), has been prepared through an easy two-step process. This ligand, which has proved to be biologically active, forms a very stable complex [Fe₂L²₃]. The ligand and its iron and copper complexes have been characterized by potentiometric and spectrophotometric techniques. The mechanism of electron transfer in the complexes has been studied by voltammetric methods, and the kinetics of dissociation of the iron(II) complex, which might be of crucial importance in the biological activity of this siderophore analogue, was also investigated.