9-Triptycenecarboxylate-bridged diiron(II) complexes: Capture of the paddlewheel geometric isomer

The synthesis and characterization of diiron(II) complexes supported by 9-triptycenecarboxylate ligands (−O2CTrp) is described. The interlocking nature of the triptycenecarboxylates facilitates formation of quadruply bridged diiron(II) complexes of the type [Fe2(μ-O2CTrp)4(L)2] (L = THF, pyridine or imidazole) with a paddlewheel geometry. A systematic lengthening of the Fe–Fe distance occurs with the increase in steric bulk of the neutral donor L, resulting in values of up to 3 Å without disassembly of the paddlewheel structure. Reactions with an excess of water do not lead to decomposition of the diiron(II) core, indicating that these quadruply bridged complexes are of exceptional stability. The red-colored complexes [Fe2(μ-O2CTrp)4(4-AcPy)2] (10) and [Fe2(μ-O2CTrp)4(4-CNPy)2] (11) exhibit solvent-dependent thermochromism in coordinating solvents that was studied by variable temperature UV–vis spectroscopy. Reaction of [Fe2(μ-O2CTrp)4(THF)2] with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), tetra-n-butyl ammonium thiocyanate, or excess 2-methylimidazole resulted in the formation of mononuclear complexes [Fe(O2CTrp)2(TMEDA)] (13), (n-Bu4N)2[Fe(O2CTrp)2(SCN)2] (14), and [Fe(O2CTrp)2(2-MeIm)2] (15) having an O4/N2 coordination sphere composition.