Formation of stable iron/cobalt NHC complexes via unexpected ring opening and in situ generation of a tridentate ligand

Abstract

The reactions of FeCl(2) and CoCl(2) with a bistriazolium salt yields the NHC complexes [Fe(III)(L1)(2)]I·H(2)O, [Fe(III)(L2)(2)]PF(6)·CH(3)CN and [Co(III)(L1)(2)]I·0.5CH(3)CN, through an unusual ring opening of one of the triazoyl rings, which leads to the formation of C,N,O tridentate ligands L1 or L2. Furthermore, a Fe(ii) species [Fe(II)(L1)(2)]·CH(2)Cl(2) was also obtained.