The reductive coupling of carbon monoxide (CO) by iron complexes is attractive as a homogeneous alternative to Fischer-Tropsch chemistry, however there are no homogeneous catalysts capable of generating hydrocarbons from CO. In contrast, the iron-containing nitrogenase enzyme has been shown to catalyze the reductive coupling of CO to yield ethane, ethylene, and propane.  This talk will report our recent efforts to develop mononuclear iron isocyanide complexes, TmFe(CNR)<sub>3</sub>(OTf), capable of the reductive coupling of isocyanide as a mimic for CO, [Tm = tris(2-mercaptoimidazolyl)borate]. Recent work exploring the reaction mechanism will also be presented.

Synthesis and reductive coupling reactivity of tripodal iron isocyanide complexes

251st National Meeting (2016)

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