Intermediates in the reduction of N2 to NH3: synthesis of iron η2 hydrazido(1−) and diazene complexes

Abstract

Iron complexes containing hydrazido(1-) and diazene ligands were investigated as potential intermediates in the reduction of N(2) to NH(3). Generation of cis-[Fe(DMeOPrPE)(2)(eta(2)-N(2)H(3))](+) and cis-Fe(DMeOPrPE)(2)(eta(2)-N(2)H(2)) (DMeOPrPE = 1,2-bis(dimethoxypropylphosphino)ethane) was achieved by addition of base to cis-[Fe(DMeOPrPE)(2)(N(2)H(4))](2+). The hydrazine, hydrazido(1-), and diazene complexes can be interconverted by protonation/deprotonation reactions.