Synthesis and Characterization of a Linear Triiron(II) Extended Metal Atom Chain Complex with Fe-Fe Bonds.

Extended metal atom chain (EMAC) complexes of first-row transition metals with metal-metal bonds have the potential to elicit unique magnetic properties and reactivities. Until now, the library of EMAC complexes with late-first-row transition metals was incomplete because of the omission of a triiron species with Fe-Fe bonding. Herein we report the synthesis and preliminary investigation of the first linear, triiron(II) complex containing close Fe-Fe interactions. The complex is supported by three dianionic 2,6-bis[(trimethylsilyl)amido]pyridine ligands (L), with an overall composition of Fe3L3, and pseudohelical ligand coordination stabilizing the local trigonal-planar geometry at each iron. Fe3L3 was characterized by X-ray diffraction, 1H NMR, cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption, and Mössbauer spectroscopies. Evans method analysis indicated a large uncompensated spin and an S = 6 ground state, suggesting ferromagnetic coupling in the triiron chain, likely due to direct exchange.