Synthesis and structure of a µ‐oxo diiron(III) complex with an N ‐pyridylmethyl‐ N , N ‐bis(4‐methylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)amine ligand and its catalytic property for hydrocarbon oxidation

A µ‐oxo diiron(III) complex [{Fe(pbba)Cl} 2 (µ‐O)]Cl 2 (1, pbba = N ‐pyridylmethyl‐ N , N ‐bis(4‐methylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)amine) bearing multi‐imidazolyl motifs was synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography to closely mimic the structural features of methane monooxygenase. As shown by its X‐ray crystal structure, complex 1 is a centrosymmetric dimer with an FeOFe angle of 180° , and pseudo‐octahedral around each iron(III) center. The catalytic ability of title compound in the oxidation of alkane and alkene is investigated by employing tert ‐butylhydroperoxide and m ‐chloroperbenzoic acid as oxidants under mild conditions. The catalytic oxidation results showed that radical intermediate dominates the oxidation process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.