Synthesis and structure of a new iron(III) complex with a doubly positively charged ligand. Oxidative study of the related catecholato adduct

A new ferric complex, [(bispic(PA)2en)Fe(III)Cl2]·[PF6]3 (bispic(PA)2en=N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N′-bis(5-trimethylammoniumpentyl)-1,2-diaminoethane) has been synthesized, and its structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The cation adopts a cis-α-dichloro configuration with the six-coordinated iron(III) in a pseudo octahedral geometry. Its relative catecholato adduct [(bispic(PA)2en)Fe(III)(DBC)]·[PF6]3 has been synthesized and found to be active toward oxidation of catechol by O2 to afford intradiol cleavage products.