X-Ray crstalographic analysis of D,L-[Fe_2{SCH_2CH(CH_2OH)S}(CO)_6] reveals a hydrogen-bonded cyclic hexamer with ordered optical centres

摘要

Bridging thiolate complexes of the general type [Fe_2(SR)_2(CO)_6] are receiving renewed attention as precursors to cyano-complexes that have structural similarities to the di-iron sub-site of all-iron hydrogenases. The dithiolate complex D,L-[Fe_2{SCH_2CH(CH_2OH)S}(CO)_6] A was synthesized by reaction of D,L-2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol and Fe_3(CO)_(12) and was of interest because the hydroxy group on the ligand backbone can be derivatised. We determined the X-ray crystallographic structure of A from well-formed crystals grown in MeCN and were surprised to find the following.