Structure and properties of μ2-S-[bis(benzenethiolato)tetranitrosyldiiron] in solution

Dinuclear iron tetranitrosyl complex with the composition [Fe2(SPh)2(NO)4] (1) was synthesized and its single crystals and polycrystals were studied by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The decomposition products of complex 1 were investigated by electrochemical method and mass spectrometry. The mass spectrum of a solution of complex 1 shows two groups of ions: the primary decomposition products of 1 in solution (the complex ions [Fe(SPh)(NO)2(NO2)]−, [Fe(SPh)2(NO)]−, and [Fe(SPh)2(NO)2]−) and a series of the ions [FeO2 + n(NO)]− and [FeO3 + n(NO)]− (n = 0–4), which are formed in secondary reactions. The structures of the complexes, which were formed through the Fe-NO bond dissociation and the replacement of the NO ligand by aqua and oxygen ligands in complex 1, and the structure of the complex [FeO3]− were studied by quantum chemical modeling.