Synthesis and characterization of cationic dicarbonyl Fe(II) PNP pincer complexes

ABSTRACT: In the present work, we have prepared a series of octahedral Fe(II) complexes of the type trans-[Fe(PNP)(CO)(2)Cl](+)—PNP are tridentate pincer-type ligands based on 2,6-diaminopyridine. These complexes are formed irrespective of the size of the substituents at the phosphorus sites and whether cis-[Fe(PNP)(Cl(2))(CO)] or trans-[Fe(PNP)(Cl(2))(CO)] are reacted with CO in the presence of 1 equiv of silver salts. X-ray structures of representative complexes are presented. Based on simple bonding considerations the selective formation of trans-dicarbonyl Fe(II) complexes is unexpected. In fact, DFT calculations confirm that trans-dicarbonyl complexes are indeed thermodynamically disfavored over the respective cis-dicarbonyl compounds, but are favored for kinetic reasons. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]