Synthesis and characterization of new hydroxycarboxylate compounds obtained in the redox reaction between Fe(NO3)3 and diol

The paper presents experimental studies and structural investigations of two new Fe(III) hydroxycarboxylate coordination compounds.The homopolynuclear complex combinations of Fe(III) glyoxylate and succinate type were obtained in the redox reaction between Fe(NO3)3 and diols (1,2-ethanediol and 1,4-butanediol). The synthesized coordination compounds and the products formed during their thermal conversion were characterized by thermal analysis (in air and nitrogen), FT-IR and UV–VIS spectrometry, Mössbauer spectrometry, electron microscopy and XRD.By thermal decomposition of the complex combinations, at 300 °C, the well crystallized pure phase γ-Fe2O3 as nanoparticles were formed.

► New hydroxycarboxylate compounds obtained in the redox reaction Fe(NO3)3-diols.
► Octahedral stereochemistry with [Fe(III)O6] chromophore for the synthesized complexes.
► Fe(III) glyoxylate and succinate as precursors of iron oxide γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles.