Six-Coordinate Ferrous Nitrosyl Complex FeII(TTP)(PMe3)(NO) (TTP = meso-Tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato Dianion)

Low-temperature in situ Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis measurements show that trimethylphosphine (PMe3) reacts with microporous layers of FeII(TTP)(NO) (TTP = meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato dianion; NO = nitric oxide) to form the previously unknown six-coordinate complex FeII(TTP)(PMe3)(NO). Upon warming this compound to room temperature in the presence of excess phosphine, the NO ligand is completely replaced by phosphine, resulting in formation of the bis(trimethylphosphine) complex FeII(TTP)(PMe3)2. Simultaneously, the NO released oxidizes free PMe3 to the corresponding phosphine oxide (OPMe3) with concomitant formation of nitrous oxide (N2O).