A μ-oxo diiron(III) complex with a short Fe–Fe distance: crystal structure of (μ-oxo)bis[N,N′-o-phenylenebis(salicylideneiminato)iron(III)]

The crystal structure of (μ-oxo)bis[N,N′-o-phenylenebis(salicylideneiminato)iron(III)] ([{Fe(salpn)}2(μ-O)]) revealed the shortest intermetallic distance among the crystallographically characterized μ-oxo diiron(III) complexes bearing macrocyclic ligands. X-ray data indicate that the FeFe distances are mainly controlled by the steric effect of the ligand. Arrangement of the two Fe(salpn) moieties in close proximity with a fairly bent FeOFe bond is allowed by the reduced steric crowding of the salpn ligand.