Synthesis and electrochemical studies of a new iron tetra-catecholamide complex

A new tetra-catecholamide compound N5,N6-thiodipropanoyl-bis[N1,N10-bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl-spermidine)] (H8L) has been synthesised as an iron chelator of Fe (III). Cyclic voltammogram of the iron complex H2LFe run under an argon atmosphere shows a quasi-reversible redox process with E0 = −430 mV vs. SCE in CH3OH/H2O (60/40). This value approaches the range of biological reductants and consequently the complex may mimic the release of iron from enterobactin to the agents which are directly involved in cell metabolism.