Activating dinitrogen at a homogenous iron center still constitutes a considerable challenge for chemists. In general, such complexes require low oxidation state metals and electron donating ligands to ensure enough electron density to p backbond with dinitrogen.  The unique orbital interactions from a metal-boron bond (z-type ligand) can stabilize low oxidation states of iron.  When coupled with four phosphines on the same scaffold, this ligand design ensures maximum backbonding to dinitrogen, while promoting stability of the complex in either high or low oxidation states.  This design should exhibit strong stabilizing effects and optimized electronics for dinitrogen activation.

Design of a tetraphosphine-borane iron complex to maximize activation of dinitrogen

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.