Imidazolidinium ferrate complexes: Synthesis and catalytic properties

The new well-defined and air stable anionic iron complexes bearing an imidazolidinium ligand (2a–d) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Starting from FeBr2, [imidazolidinium][FeBr4] complexes 2a and 2b were prepared. The reaction of imidazolidinium chlorides with Fe(OAc)2, followed by a recrystallization in the air led to bis(imidazolidinium) μ-oxido-bis[trichloroferrate(III)] complexes 2c and 2d. The catalytic activity of these novel complexes has been evaluated in the cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with Grignard reagents.

Graphical abstractTwo tetrabromoferrate and two μ-oxido-bis[trichloroferrate] imidazolidinium complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized, notably by X-ray analysis. The catalytic activity of complexes was evaluated in Kochi's cross-coupling reaction.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide