Novel neutral iron(II) isocyanide maleonitrile dithiolate [Fe(S2C2(CN)2)(t-BuNC) 4] compound

Abstract

FeBr2 reacts with the S2C2(CN)2(2-) ion (1:1 ratio) in the presence of an excess of t-BuNC in THF to give the mixed ligand [Fe(S2C2(CN)2)(t-BuNC) 4] compound. This neutral product with a formal oxidation state of two for the iron atom was characterized by conductivity measurements, and, i.r., Mössbauer, 13C and ¹H n.m.r. spectroscopy. There is a Fe-C pi back-donation strengthened towards isocyanide ligands, according to the data of 13C, ¹H n.m.r. and Mössbauer spectroscopy.

iron (II); isocyanide; dithiolate

ARTIGO

Novel neutral iron(II) isocyanide maleonitrile dithiolate [Fe(S₂C₂(CN)₂)(t-BuNC) ₄] compound

Milton K. MorigakiI, ^*; Elias M. da Silva^I; Carlos V. P. de Melo^I; Carlos Larica^II; Armando Biondo^II; Jair C. C. Freitas^II; Gilson H. M. Dias^III; Holgadinei R. Ribeiro^III

^IDepartamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, s/n, 29060-900 Vitória - ES

^IIDepartamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 29060-900 Vitória - ES

^IIInstituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CP 6154, 13084-971 Campinas - SP

ABSTRACT

FeBr₂ reacts with the S₂C₂(CN)₂^2- ion (1:1 ratio) in the presence of an excess of t-BuNC in THF to give the mixed ligand [Fe(S₂C₂(CN)₂)(t-BuNC) ₄] compound. This neutral product with a formal oxidation state of two for the iron atom was characterized by conductivity measurements, and, i.r., Mössbauer, ¹³C and ¹H n.m.r. spectroscopy. There is a Fe-C p back-donation strengthened towards isocyanide ligands, according to the data of ¹³C, ¹H n.m.r. and Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Keywords: iron (II); isocyanide; dithiolate.

INTRODUCTION

The chemistry of iron mononuclear^1-8, polynuclear^9-16, dithiolates, and iven incipient mixed dithiolate-isocyanide iron derivatives¹⁷, is usually restricted to formal iron(III) and iron(IV) compounds^3,13,18. Since isocyanide ligand has both donor-acceptor proprieties, it is inherent that the covalent bonding character and the delocalization of the electron density into dithiolate transition iron compounds will be enhanced in their presence^19,20. Hence, metal centers are also stabilized in both low and high oxidation states by isocyanides. Stable dithiolate-isocyanide iron(II) derivatives are an opened research field. In this paper, therefore, the synthesis and the characterization of dithiolate-isocyanide iron(II) species are described.

EXPERIMENTAL PART

Experiments were performed under argon atmosphere, using standard Schlenk techniques to avoid oxidation of the products. The solvents were dried and distilled under O₂-free argon prior to use. The compounds t-BuNC²¹, FeBr₂²² and Na₂(S₂C₂(CN)₂ )²³, were prepared as previously described.

I.r. spectra were obtained on Midac Prospect IR FT-IR instruments, using KBr pellets or Nujol mulls. ¹H and ¹³C n.m.r. spectra were recorded upon either BRÜKER AC300P (¹H 300.13, ¹³C 75.47) Fourier-transform machine in CDCl_3, unless otherwise stated. ¹H and ¹³C spectra were referenced to internal SiMe₄. Melting points were recorded on a Büchi 510 apparatus and are uncorrected. Elemental analyses (C, H, N) were performed on a Perkin Elmer 2400 microanalytical instrument. Iron was determined by 1,10-phenantroline method, using a Varian Cary 1 spectrophotometer. Conductivities were measured at 25 ºC using a HANNA Instruments HI 8033 conductivity bridge and standard cell. For the Mössbauer measurements, the usual transmission geometry was employed, with an Ortec multichannel system PC board, using 512 channels, as the data counting. The source was a nominal 10 mCi ⁵⁷Co in a Pd or Rh matrix and the results are quoted relative to standard metallic Fe. Thermogravimetric (TG) curves were recorded using a Shimadzu TGA-50H thermal analyser system. The samples (with initial mass around 12 mg) were heated in alumina crucible under either argon or oxygen flow (20.0 cm³/min) at a heating rate of 2.0 ºC/min. The differential thermogravimetric (DTG) curves were computationally derived from the TG curves.

Preparation of [Fe(S₂C₂(CN)₂)(t-BuNC) ₄]

Small portions of Na₂(S₂C₂(CN)₂ ) (0.320 g, 1.72 mmol) were added to a stirred solution of FeBr₂ (0.316 g, 1.46 mmol) in THF (20 cm³). The stirring mixture was refluxed for 1h at 70 ºC and added t-BuNC (0.90 cm³, 7.3 mmol). After 1h, THF was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting solid was dissolved in CHCl₃ (20 cm³), and filtered through a column of Florisil (1 cm). The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue dissolved in THF (8 cm³). Concentration to ca. 4 cm³ and dropwise addition of Et₂O (10 cm³) gave a dark red precipitate, which was washed with Et₂O/PhH (1:1) (3 x 2 cm³ portions), and vacuum-dried. Yield 95 %. M.p. 180.5 ºC, dec. (Found: C, 54.0; H, 6.8; Fe, 11.1; N, 15.4. C₂₄H₃₆S₂FeN₆ calcd.: C, 54.5; H, 6.9; Fe, 10.6; N, 15.9%).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The dithiolate-isocyanide iron(II) [Fe(S₂C₂(CN)₂)(t-BuNC) ₄] complex was prepared from iron(II) bromide, as illustrated in Scheme 1.

The product was reasonably air-stable in solid state at room temperature. However, it decomposes slowly in acetone and THF solutions. However due to its insolubility in hydrocarbon solvents it was well crystallized as intense colored solids in these solvents. The thermogravimetric results in Table 1 suggest that occur a fragmentation process, in accord to Scheme 2.

The isocyanide ligands are initially displaced during the initial fragmentation process. This behavior reflects the great abundance and a weak covalency of the isocyanides with the metallic center. In the temperature set between 152.5 — 217.6 ºC, the iron atom is probable oxidized by oxygen molecule.

The i.r. spectral data together the attempts of the attributions in the stretching frequency region for the product are listed in Table 2. The n(CN) positions were observed near those observed in S₂C₂(CN)₂^2- precursor (2195 cm^-1) and in free isocyanide (2134 cm^-1)². Since both sulfur and carbon bonded atoms of the dithiolate and isocyanide ligands are strong donor toward iron center. Therefore, the net charge will be compensated by an increasing in the p back-donation towards these ligands. A weak shoulder observed around 2060 cm^-1 can be attributed to the usual combination effect²⁴. A strong band at 1371 cm^-1 observed in a lower region was assigned to a perturbed C=C (w₁) stretching vibration¹, owing to the electron delocalization upon dithiolate coordination with the iron atom. However, other small bands (w₂ and w₃) in the 1240-600 cm^-1 region were not attributed, because they were obscured by skeleton vibration of t-BuNC molecule.

The ¹³C n.m.r. spectral data are listed in Table 3, and the spectra in Figure 1. Although ¹³C n.m.r. spectra of isocyanides is problematic²⁷, the most of all expected ¹³C resonances of t-BuNC were detected and assigned, including the very weak carbon quaternary Fe-C signals. The most significant spectral feature is a downfield shift for the CN resonance (ca. 5 ppm) of t-BuNC after the coordination. The decrease in shielding observed correlates with the increase in iron-isocyanide p back-donation. The presence of two duplet signals for each carbon 1 and 2 in the spectrum (Figure 1) is compatible with occupation of axial and equatorial position relative to the dithiolate moiety.

The ¹H n.m.r. spectral data of the product are presented in the Table 3. The spectrum has shown a singlet downfield resonance referenced to the free ligand, as it was observed in the ¹³C n.m.r. spectrum.

The conductivity data in acetone presented in Table 2 are typical of non-electrolyte compound, which assures a neutral identity for the product.

The ⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectra obtained for the compound are shown in Figure 2. The isomer shifts (d) and quadrupole splittings (DE_Q) parameters are presented in Table 2.

The isomer shift value observed for the product is ca. 0.0 mm s^-1, in contrast to that value observed for the iron(II) bromide precursor in its Mössbauer spectrum. Such results demonstrate, as expected, a higher s-electron density in the iron atom after dithiolate and isocyanide coordinations²⁹. Moreover, this result is consistent with a back-donation increment from the iron(II) in the product relative to the iron(II) bromide precursor. Finally, the DE_Q similar values for the product and for the FeBr₂ are an indication that both compounds have a near octahedral configuration around the iron site. The product exhibits a small spectral asymmetry in the intensity (Figure 2). This asymmetry can be resulted from the solid state effect, due to slightly distinct iron sites in the molecules.

CONCLUSION

A novel iron(II) compound, [Fe(S₂C₂(CN)₂)(t-BuNC) ₄] was obtained from the reaction of FeBr₂ with Na₂S₂C₂(CN)₂ in excess of t-BuNC in THF. The p-acceptor nature of the dithiolate and isocyanide ligands was studied by the n.m.r. (¹³C and ¹H) and Mössbauer spectroscopy, owing to an increase of the chemical shift and a decrease of the isomer shift, respectively.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the CNPq.

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Recebido em 16/4/03; aceito em 21/8/03

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  09 Mar 2004
• Date of issue
  Feb 2004

History

• Accepted
  21 Aug 2003
• Received
  16 Apr 2003