Neutral and cationic Fe(II) β-diketiminate complexes

The three-coordinate, 12-valence electron complexes [(MeBDK)FeR] (MeBDK = [HC(C(Me)NAr)2]−, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3, R = CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3) are reported as well as their reactivity towards Lewis bases. With perfluoroaryl borane and -borate type activators, the monoalkyls react to give alkyl-free paramagnetic cationic iron species counterbalanced by perfluorinated arylborate anions. The paramagnetic nature of the cations permits the observation of weak and dynamic interactions with these anions via 19F NMR spectroscopy.