Iron β-diiminate complexes with As2-, As4- and As8-ligands

Abstract

Different substituents at the β-diiminato ligand in low-valent [LFe(tol)] (L = β-diiminato) complexes fundamentally change their reactivity towards yellow arsenic. By using dmp (2,6-dimethylphenyl) as flanking groups, the tetranuclear complexes [(LFe)₄As₈] (L = L¹ (1), L² (2)) are isolated. For dipp (2,6-diisopropylphenyl) substituted ligands, dinuclear complexes [(LFe)₂(cyclo-As₄)] (L = L³ (3a), L⁴ (4a)) are obtained. Not only the choice of the ligand impacts the product formation, but also the temperature of the crystallization can shift their ratio in the solid state.