Reaction of a sterically encumbered iron(i) aryl/arene with organoazides: formation of an iron(v) bis(imide)

Abstract

Reaction of 3,5-Pr(i)2Ar*Fe(eta6-C6H6)(3,5-Pr(i)2Ar* = C6H1-2,6-(C6H2)-2,4,6-Pr(i)3)(2)-3,5-Pr(i)2) with (N3C6H3)-2,6-Mes2 (Mes = (C6H2)-2,4,6-Me3) afforded the dimeric iron(II) amido/aryl complex {CH2C6H(2)-2(C6H3)-2-N(H)FeAr*-3,5-Pr(i)2)-3,5-Me2}2 (1) which arises via methyl hydrogen abstraction by nitrogen and dimerization of the radical via C-C bond formation; in contrast, reaction of 3,5-Pr(i)2Ar*Fe(eta6)-C6H6) with N3(1-Ad) (1-Ad = 1-adamantanyl) gave the iron(V) bis(imido) complex 3,5-Pr(i)2Ar*Fe{N(1-Ad)}2 (2).