Electrochemical Behavior of Bis[pentane-2,4-dithionato(1-)]iron(II), Fe(sacsac)2, and Dicarbonylbis[pentane-2,4-dithionato(1-)]iron(II), Fe(sacsac)2(CO)2

The redox behaviours of Fe(sacsac)2 and Fe( sacsac )2(CO)2 in chloroform are reported ( sacsac - = C5H7S2- = dithioacetylacetonate anion = pentane-2,4-dithionate anion). Fe( sacsac )2 is reversibly reduced to [Fe( sacsac )2]-, but no other redox processes are observed within the solvent limits. Fe( sacsac )2(CO)2 undergoes a reversible one-electron reduction followed by rapid loss of carbon monoxide to generate [Fe( sacsac )2]-. The oxidation of Fe( sacsac )2(CO)2 results in the oxidation of a dithioacetylacetonate ligand to the 3,5-dimethyl-1,2-dithiolium cation and the formation of a previously uncharacterized complex believed to be [Fe( sacsac )(CO)2]+. The putative [Fe( sacsac )(CO)2]+ product of the oxidation also undergoes a reversible one-electron oxidation at a potential more positive than that of [Fe( sacsac )2]0/-1.