Synthesis and crystal structure of [Fe(phen)3]L·2H2L·4H2O (H2L = fumaric acid)

Abstract

Reaction of freshly precipitated Fe m (OH) n (CO3)3 m − n /2·xH2O, fumaric acid (H2L) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in aqueous ethanol solution under ambient conditions yielded a new complex [Fe(phen)3]L·2H2L·4H2O, which crystallizes in space group Pī with a = 12.126(1), b = 12.493(2), c = 17.014(2) Å, α = 77.26(1), β = 89.786(8), γ = 63.260(8)°, Z = 1, D calc = 1.506 g cm−3. The title compound consists of [Fe(phen)3]2+ complex cations, fumaric acid molecules, fumarate anions and hydrogen-bonded water molecules. Fe atoms are octahedrally coordinated by six nitrogen atoms of three phenanthroline ligands. The fumaric acid molecules, fumarate anions and water molecules build up a hydrogen-bonded anionic framework with the [Fe(phen)3]2+ complex cations in channels assembled into columnar chains through π–π stacking interactions. IR spectra and thermal analyses are discussed.