Diiron propanedithiolate hexacarbonyl is the organoiron complex with the formula Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)6. It is a red diamagnetic solid.Winter, A., Zsolnai, L., Huttner, G., "Zweikernige und dreikernige Carbonyleisenkomplexe mit 1,2- und 1,3-Dithiolatobrückenliganden", Z. Naturforsch. 1982, 37b, 1430. It adopts a symmetrical structure with six terminal CO ligands.Lyon, E. J., Georgakaki, I. P., Reibenspies, J. H., Darensbourg, M. Y., "Carbon Monoxide and Cyanide Ligands in a Classical Organometallic Complex Model for Fe-Only Hydrogenase", Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1999, 38, 3178. The complex is a precursor to hydrogenase mimics.
It is prepared by the reaction of 1,3-propanedithiol with triiron dodecacarbonyl: 2 Fe3(CO)12 + 3 C3H6(SH)2 → 3 Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)6 + 3 H2 + 6 CO In general, the CO ligands can be substituted by cyanide, phosphines, isocyanides, N-heterocyclic carbenes, and other donor ligands. Monosubstitution can be achieved through an in situ generation of the acetonitrile complex.Mack, A.; Rauchfuss, T. B., "(1,3-Propanedithiolato)hexacarbonyl and Cyanide Derivatives", Inorganic Synthesis. 2010, volume 35, 143. Works, C., "Laboratory Experiment or Mini-Project for Inorganic Chemistry or Integrated Laboratory", Journal of Chemical Education. 2007, 84, 836.
Upon irradiation of Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)6 with ultraviolet (UV) light, CO-photolysis occurs with the transient formation of the unsaturated species followed by the formation of the solvent adduct.Mack, A. R. Ridley, A. I. Stewart, K. Adamczyk, H. N. Ghosh, B. Kerkeni, Z. X. Guo, E. T. J. Nibbering, C. J. Pickett, N. T. Hunt "(1,3-Propanedithiolato)hexacarbonyl and Cyanide Derivatives", Inorg. Chem. 2008, 47, 7453-7455
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