Synthesis, Purification, and Characterization of a µ-(1,3-propanedithiolato)-hexacarbonyldiiron. Laboratory Experiment or Mini-Project for Inorganic Chemistry or Integrated Laboratory

Abstract

The experiment is designed to teach students about bioinorganic and organometallic molecules through the preparation and spectroscopic characterization of a structural model of iron-only hydrogenase. The techniques and concepts emphasized in this experiment include air-sensitive inorganic synthesis of an iron–carbonyl compound, column chromatography, optical, IR and NMR spectroscopies, and mass spectrometry. This laboratory experiment is suitable for upper-level inorganic or interdisciplinary classes and illustrates many important concepts taught in inorganic chemistry lecture.