The preparation of the α-iodo-substituted tripods within the series of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands, and the characterization of the corresponding I1–3TPAFeCl2 complexes

Abstract We report in this communication the easy preparation of the α-iodo substituted tripods within the series of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands, I 1 TPA, I 2 TPA and I 3 TPA, respectively. The characterization of the corresponding FeCl 2 complexes in solution is described and structural analysis by X-ray diffraction for I 1 TPAFeCl 2 and I 2 TPAFeCl 2 is also reported. The steric effect of the iodo substituent is evidenced: (i) by elongation of the metal to iodo-pyridine distance within I 1 TPAFeCl 2 , which however remains a very stable compound; (ii) by decoordination of one substituted pyridine in I 2 TPAFeCl 2 and I 3 TPAFeCl 3 . In I 2 TPAFeCl 2 and in the solid state, this uncoordinated pyridine strongly interacts with the same fragment of the neighbouring molecule, providing an overall dinuclear arrangement for this complex.