Tying the alkoxides together: an iron complex of a new chelating bulky bis(alkoxide) demonstrates selectivity for coupling of non-bulky aryl nitrenes.

New chelating bis(alkoxide) ligand H2[OO]Ph and its iron(ii) complex Fe[OO]Ph(THF)2 are described. The coordination of the ligand to the metal center is reminiscent of the coordination of two monodentate alkoxides in previously reported Fe(OR)2(THF)2 species. Fe[OO]Ph(THF)2 catalyzes selective and efficient dimerization of non-bulky aryl nitrenes to yield the corresponding azoarenes.