Reactions of anionic nitrogen heterocycles with iron carbonyls

Abstract Redox disproportionation of iron carbonyls to carbonylferrate anions and Fe + , Fe 2+ compounds occurs during the reaction of these carbonyls with both free azoles and their sodium salts. It is assumed that coordination of azole anion to iron carbonyl takes place and that the species formed acts as a one-electron reducing agent towards iron, iron carbonyl anion-radicals, detected by ESR, being formed on the initial stage of the reaction.