[PH-C(NSIME3)2]2FECL - AN AMIDINATO COMPLEX OF IRON(III) WITH A DISTORTED TRIGONAL-BIPYRAMIDAL STRUCTURE

The amidinato complex [Ph-C(NSiMe3)2]2FeCl has been prepared by the reaction of FeOCl with the amidine Ph-C(NSiMe3)[N(SiMe3)2] in acetonitrile/THF in the form of dark red moisture sensitive single crystals. The complex was characterized by IR spectroscopy, by its Fe-57-Mossbauer spectra, as well as by an X-ray structure determination. Space group P1BAR, Z = 2, 3180 observed unique reflections, R = 0.068. Lattice dimensions at -80-degrees-C: a = 1210.4(2), b = 1272.7(3), c = 1316.0(3) pm; alpha = 67.81(3)-degrees, beta = 76.14(3)-degrees, gamma = 67.19(3)-degrees. The complex has a molecular structure in which the iron atom is surrounded in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal fashion with the chlorine ligand and two nitrogen atoms of different amidinato chelates in equatorial positions. The remaining nitrogen atoms occupy the apical positions.