Synthesis and Properties of New Mixed-Halide Derivatives of Iron-Sulfide Dimers-Crystal Structure of (Et4N)2[Fe2S2Cl2Br2]

The synthesis and characterization of the new mixed-halide clusters (Et4N)2[Fe2S2Cl4-nBrn] (n=2, 3), together with an improved synthesis of (Et4N)2[Fe2S2Br4] and the crystal and molecular structure of (Et4N)2[F2S2Cl2Br2], are reported here. The structure consists of [Fe2S2Cl2Br2] dianions, with a pseudo-tetrahedral symmetry around each iron atom. A disorder problem precludes precise identification of the locations of the chloride and bromide ligands. A syn (or anti) conformation is however considered to be most likely, for steric hindrance reasons and on the basis of Mossbauer data. The Mossbauer, magnetic susceptibility, cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis properties of the new clusters remain similar to those of the parent single-type halide clusters. These new clusters are interesting precursors for complexes with mixed thiolate and non-thiolate coordination at the iron sites.