Heteronuclear Fe(III)Mn(II)Fe(III) and Homonuclear Fe(III)Fe(III)Fe(III) Complexes with a Tripodal Tetradentate Ligand

The reaction of a tripodal tetradentate ligand (H2L = N,N-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-Nʹ,Nʹ-dimethylethylenediamine) with Fe(ClO4) 2·6H2O and a carboxylic acid in basic methanol generates an iron(III) species under aerobic conditions. Further addition of an Mn2+ cation gave a heterotrinuclear complex, [{FeIII(L)(carboxylato)(OCH3)}2MnII]. On the other hand, an additional Fe2+ cation gave a (mu)3-oxo homotrinuclear complex, [{FeIII(L)(carboxylato)}2OFeIII(OCH3)]. Drastic changes in the structure were induced by the addition of metal ions.