Dinuclear Iron(III) and Nickel(II) Complexes Containing N-(2-Pyridylmethyl)-N'-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine: Catalytic Oxidation and Magnetic Properties.

Abstract

Dinuclear FeIII and NiII complexes, [(phenO)Fe(N3 )]2 (NO3 )2 (1) and [(phenOH)Ni(N3 )2 ]2 (2), were prepared by treating Fe(NO3 )3 ⋅9 H2 O and Ni(NO3 )2 ⋅6 H2 O in methanol, respectively, with phenOH (=N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N'-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine) and NaN3 ; both 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Two ethoxo-bridged FeIII and two azido-bridged NiII were observed in 1 and 2, respectively; corresponding antiferromagnetic interaction via the bridged ethoxo groups and strong ferromagnetic coupling via the bridged end-on azido ligands within the dimeric unit were observed. Complex 1 did not exhibit any catalytic activity, while 2 exhibited excellent catalytic activities for the epoxidation of aliphatic, aromatic, and terminal olefins.