Dinuclear Iron(III) and Nickel(II) Complexes Containing N-(2-Pyridylmethyl)-N′-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine: Catalytic Oxidation and Magnetic Properties

Abstract

Dinuclear FeIII and NiII complexes, [(phenO)Fe(N3)]2(NO3)2 (1) and [(phenOH)Ni(N3)2]2 (2), were prepared by treating Fe(NO3)3?9 H2O and Ni(NO3)2?6 H2O in methanol, respectively, with phenOH (=N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N��-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine) and NaN3; both 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Two ethoxo-bridged FeIII and two azido-bridged NiII were observed in 1 and 2, respectively; corresponding antiferromagnetic interaction via the bridged ethoxo groups and strong ferromagnetic coupling via the bridged end-on azido ligands within the dimeric unit were observed. Complex 1 did not exhibit any catalytic activity, while 2 exhibited excellent catalytic activities for the epoxidation of aliphatic, aromatic, and terminal olefins. ? 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim