Effect of diverse ligands on the course of a molecules-to-solids process and properties of its intermediates

Low-valent iron complex bis(cyclooctatetraene)iron reacts with triethylphosphine telluride, TePEt3, to form extended inorganic solid-state tellurides of iron, FexTey. Various phosphine ligands produce different Fe/Te-containing compounds that are intermediates in the process. Structures of these intermediates are related to the final extended solid products. Use of larger ligands leads to the formation of smaller clusters and molecular structure of the complex influences the coupling characteristics of the Fe centers.