Synthesis and electrochemical studies of a new iron tetra-catecholamide complex

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0960-894X(99)00372-8

A new tetra-catecholamide compound N5,N6-thiodipropanoyl-bis[N1,N10- bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl-spermidine)] (H₈L) has been synthesised as an iron chelator of Fe (III). Cyclic voltammogram of the iron complex H₂LFe run under an argon atmosphere shows a quasi-reversible redox process with E⁰ = - 430 mV vs. SCE in CH₃OH/H₂O (60/40). This value approaches the range of biological reductants and consequently the complex may mimic the release of iron from enterobactin to the agents which are directly involved in cell metabolism.