The synthesis of iron (III) ethoxide revisited: Characterization of the metathesis products of iron (III) halides and sodium ethoxide

Interaction of FeX3, X = Cl, Br with 3 equiv. of NaOEt in toluene/ethanol media provides mixtures of iron (III) oxoethoxide, Fe5O(OEt)13, and its halide alkoxide analogs. The latter have been identified by mass-spectrometric study as Fe5O(OEt)12X and Fe5O(OEt)11X2. Application of FeBr3 as a starting material leads to much more pure samples of Fe5O(OEt)13 isolated with higher yields.