Photochemistry of the oxo-bridged diiron(III) core. Evolution of oxygen induced by FeIII to FeIII charge-transfer excitation of µ-oxobis[(ethylenediaminetetraacetato)ferrate(III)]

Abstract

The reversible photolysis of aqueous [{Fe^III(edta)}₂O]^4– leads to the evolution of oxygen and the formation of [Fe^II(edta)]^2–; it is suggested that the photoreaction is induced by Fe^III to Fe^III charge-transfer excitation, which yields Fe^II and Fe^IVO in the primary photochemical step.