Imidazolidinium ferrate complexes: Synthesis and catalytic properties

The new well-defined and air stable anionic iron complexes bearing an imidazolidinium ligand (2a-d) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Starting from FeBr2, [imidazolidinium][FeBr4] complexes 2a and 2b were prepared. The reaction of imidazolidinium chlorides with Fe(OAc)(2), followed by a recrystallization in the air led to bis(imidazolidinium) mu-oxido-bis[trichloroferrate(III)] complexes 2c and 2d. The catalytic activity of these novel complexes has been evaluated in the cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with Grignard reagents. (C) 2014 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.