Comparison of chemical interactions with Li+ and catalytic reactivity of electrochemically generated [FeICl(L)]2− and [CoI(L)]− complexes (L = salen or salophen)

Abstract

The cyclic voltammetric behavior of [Fe^IIICl(salen)] complexes has been investigated in CH₃CN and compared to that obtained with [Co^II(salen)] analogues. Details of the mechanism associated with iron– and cobalt–salen complex reduction in the presence of the lithium cation have been elucidated by comparison of simulated and experimental voltammograms. Electrogenerated [Fe^ICl(salen)]²⁻ and [Fe^ICl(salophen)]²⁻ complexes catalyze the dehalogenation of halo–alkyl compounds as is the case with [Co^I(salen)]⁻ complexes, even in the presence of the lithium cation which allows the reduction to occur at a less negative potential.