Syntheses and structural characterization of amphiphilic mononuclear complexes [FeIII(L)(X)2] (X = Br, SCN)

AbstractA new heterodonor chelating ligand, 2-{[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]methyl}-4-(n-dodecyl)-6-methylphenol (HL2), has been synthesized and employed in the preparation of two amphiphilic heteroleptic mononuclear complexes, [FeIII(L2)(Br)2] (1) and [FeIII(L2)(SCN)2] (2). Compound 1 was obtained by reaction of HL2 with FeBr3 in EtOH. In situ reaction of Fe(L2)Br2 (1) with KSCN in EtOH or refluxing pure crystalline 1 with excess KSCN in EtOH/CH2Cl2 afforded 2. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal structural determination. Magnetic studies carried out exclusively on 2 to check for spin crossover suggest that the compound has a ground spin state of 5/2 and maintains high spin throughout the temperature range studied.