Iron(III) di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate complexes: ligand control of co-ordination polymerization
Abstract
A novel dinuclear complex comprised of H+/NO3– bridged tris[di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate]iron(III) units, Fe(dehp)3, having the molecular formula [Fe2(dehp)5(Hdehp)(NO3)], is described which surprisingly is colourless, stable under ambient conditions, and highly soluble in cyclohexane. Solution reaction with water leads to replacement of H+/NO3– by H2O producing a highly insoluble polymer having molecular formula [{Fe(dehp)3(H2O)}n]. Interconversion between the contrasting polymeric and dinuclear species is facile and represents an example of reversible co-ordination polymerization–depolymerization with the two species differing remarkably in their properties. The preparation, characterization, and interconversion of these iron complexes are described.