Tridentate facial coordination mode of an unsymmetrical tetradentate diazine ligand in an iron(III) complex

Synthesis, structure and properties of a distorted octahedral iron(III) complex, [Fe(salpahn)2]ClO4 (Hsalpahn = 2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene-hydrazonomethyl)-phenol), are described. The X-ray structure reveals the facial disposition of pyridine-N, imine-N and phenolate-O donor salpahn− with the formation of two six-membered chelate rings. The self-assembly pattern via intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystal lattice is reported.