Synthesis and reactions of azido complexes of iron

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0277-5387(95)00043-R

Sodium azide reacts with FeH2(dmpe)2 (1a) [dmpe=1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane] in methanol solution to form FeH(N3)(dpme)2 (3a) and, finally,Fe(N3)2(dpme)2 (2a). The bis(azide) complex may also be generated from FeCl2(dmpe)2 (4a) by a ligand exchange reaction. The azide ligand is eas ily replaced by terminal alkynes to form bisacetylide iron complexes. The X-ray crystal structure of Fe(N3)2(dpme)2 (2a) shows that the azide groups are mutually trans and that the N-N-N groups are essentially linearand tilted by approximately 132° with respect to the plane conta ining the Fe and four P atoms.