Synthesis and Characterization of Iron Derivatives Having a Pyridine-Linked Bis(anilide) Pincer Ligand

A pyridine-linked bis(aniline) pincer ligand, [2]H2 ([2]H2 = (2,6-NC5H3(2-(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)-NHC6H4)2), has been synthesized in two steps. Deprotonation with Me3SiCH2Li followed by metalation with FeCl2 yielded a LiCl adduct of [2]Fe. The complex is freed of LiCl with excess TlPF6 or by crystallization from toluene/petroleum ether, giving [2]Fe(THF). [2]Fe(THF) reacts with I2 and O2 to generate [2]FeI and ([2]Fe)2O, respectively. The complexes have been characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray crystallography, and UV−vis spectroscopy. [2]Fe(THF) has been examined using cyclic voltammetry.