Synthesis and reactivities of binuclear iron(III) complexes with ligands composed of two tridentate chelating groups

Several new binuclear iron(III) complexes were prepared using the binucleating ligands in which two molecules of N,N-bis(2-benzimidazolymethyl)amine are linked by a polyatomic chain, such as-(CH₂)₄(L-4), -(CH₂)₆- (L-6), and -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂H(L-3), etc., and were characterized in terms of the magnetic measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The complexes, Fe₂(L-3′0(NO₃)₅ showed subnormal magnetic moments, 4.10 BM at 299 K and 2.22 BM at 87 K, respectively, suggesting the presence of an alkoxo-bridge structure. This complex showed much higher catalytic activity for the O₂ oxidation of N, N, N′,N′-tetramethyl-1-1,4-diaminobenzene than those of the relevant mononuclear complexes and other binuclear complexes studied here which have no alkoxo-bridge. The complex reacts with catechol and hydrogen peroxide to form 1:1 adducts.