Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of an iron(V) nitride

Science. 2011 Feb 25;331(6020):1049-52. doi: 10.1126/science.1198315.

Abstract

Despite being implicated as important intermediates, iron(V) compounds have proven very challenging to isolate and characterize. Here, we report the preparation of the iron(V) nitrido complex, [PhB((t)BuIm)(3)Fe(V)≡N]BAr(F24) (PhB((t)BuIm)(3)(-) = phenyltris(3-tert-butylimidazol-2-ylidene)borato, BAr(F24) = B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3))(4)(-)), by one electron oxidation of the iron(IV) nitrido precursor. Single-crystal x-ray diffraction of the iron(V) complex reveals a four-coordinate metal ion with a terminal nitrido ligand. Mößbauer and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic characterization, supported by electronic structure calculations, provide evidence for a d(3) iron(V) metal center in a low spin (S = 1/2) electron configuration. Low-temperature reaction of the iron(V) nitrido complex with water under reducing conditions leads to high yields of ammonia with concomitant formation of an iron(II) species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Crystallization
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Ferric Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nitrogen / chemistry
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Spectroscopy, Mossbauer

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Ligands
  • iron nitrido complex
  • perferryl iron
  • Iron
  • Nitrogen