Synthesis and characterization of diiron ethanedithiolate complexes with monosubstituted phosphine ligands

Reactions of (μ-edt)Fe2(CO)6 (edt = SCH2CH2S) (1) with the monophosphine ligands Ph2PCH2Ph, Ph2PC6H11, Ph2PCH2CH2CH3, or P(2-C4H3O)3 in the presence of Me3NO∙2H2O afforded (μ-edt)Fe2(CO)5L [L = Ph2PCH2Ph, 2; Ph2PC6H11, 3; Ph2PCH2CH2CH3, 4; P(2-C4H3O)3, 5] in 70–88% yields. Complexes 2–5 were characterized by spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The phosphorus of 2–5 is in an apical position of the distorted octahedral geometry of iron.