Synthesis, characterization and role of a novel dimeric α-diimine iron(II) complex in ATRP of styrene

A novel dimeric α-diimine iron(II) complex, [(dab)FeCl-(μ-Cl)]2 (dab = 1,4-bis-cyclohexyl-1,4-diazabutadiene) was synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and VT 1H NMR spectroscopy. The performances of this complex in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene have been studied and related to the molecular structure.