Formation of a diiron–(μ-η1:η1-CN) complex from acetonitrile solution

Abstract

The activation of C—C bonds by transition-metal complexes is of continuing interest and acetonitrile (MeCN) has attracted attention as a cyanide source with comparatively low toxicity for organic cyanation reactions. A diiron end-on μ-η1:η1-CN-bridged complex was obtained from a crystallization experiment of an open-chain iron–NHC complex, namely, μ-cyanido-κ2 C:N-bis{[(acetonitrile-κN)[3,3′-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,1′-(methylidene)bis(benzimidazol-2-ylidene)]iron(II)} tris(hexafluorophosphate), [Fe2(CN)(C2H3N)2(C25H18N6)2](PF6)3. The cyanide appears to originate from the MeCN solvent by C—C bond cleavage or through carbon–hydrogen oxidation.