A Mixed-Valence Heptanuclear Iron Complex

Submitted by GUILLAUME ROGEZ, ARNAUD MARVILLIERS, and TALAL MALLAH  

The reaction of hexacyanometalates with metal complexes chelated by penta-dentate ligands may afford polynuclear complexes. The presence of the penta-dentate ligand precludes the polymerization that leads to extended systems. The preparation of a representative heptanuclear, mixed-valance iron complex, [Fe (CNFe° (salmeten))6]Cl2 6H20, is detailed herein. 

Laboratoire de Chimie Inorganique, CNRS 8613, Universite Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France. School of Chemistry, Monash University, P.O. Box 23, Victoria 3800, Australia. 

Salicylaldehyde (0.1 mol) is mixed with 50 mL of absolute ethanol in a 250-mL round-bottomed flask containing a stirring bar. To this solution bis(3-aminopro-pyl)methylamine (0.05 mol) mixed with 50 mL of absolute ethanol is added dropwise (10 min) through a pressure-equalizing dropping funnel. The mixture is stirred for 15 min, and then the solution is evaporated under vacuum. A yellow oil is obtained with a yield of almost 100%. 

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