Synthesis and characterisation of Fe6 and Fe12 clusters using bicine

Reaction of bicine {BicH3, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine} with an Fe(III) oxo-centered pivalate triangle in MeCN in the presence of Et2NH yields [Et2NH2]2[Fe6O2(OH)2(Bic)2(O2CCMe3)8], which possesses an S = 5 ground state.Changing the base to NaOMe produces [Fe12O4(Bic)4(HBic)4(O2CCMe3)8], which contains two Fe6 units bridged by the carboxylate arms from the bicine ligands. The complex displays strong antiferromagnetic coupling leading to an S = 0 ground state.

Graphical abstractWe report two new Fe(III) complexes using a bicine/pivalate ligand blend. Magnetic characterisation reveals S = 5 and S = 0 ground states for the hexa- and dodeca-nuclear complexes, respectively.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide