ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

In vitro biological, catalytic, and DFT studies of some iron(III) N-ligated complexes

Ahmed K. Hijazi, Ziyad A. Taha, Taher S. Ababneh, Heba M. Alshare, Nezar Al-Bataineh, Waleed M. Al-Momani, and Abdulaziz M. Ajlouni

Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

E-mail: akhijazi@just.edu.jo

Received: 13 May 2019  Accepted: 22 November 2019

Abstract:

Fe(III) complexes, [Fe(CH₃CN)₆][X]₃ and [Fe(CH₃CH₂CN)₆][X]₃ (where X: counter anion = B{C₆H₃(m-CF₃)₂}₄)⁻ and B(C₆F₅)₄⁻) have been synthesized by the reaction of FeCl₃ with Ag[B(X)₄]. Full characterization for the complexes has been done in solution and in the solid state. The complexes are obtained in good yields and are moderately sensitive to air. All complexes have been used as catalysts for aniline oxidation with yields up to 62%, in which azobenzene is the only product. Furthermore, they exhibit good antimicrobial properties. The Fe(III) complexes molecular geometries have been studied using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-31+G(d, p) levels of theory and obtained results are in agreement with the experimental data.

Keywords: Catalysis; N-ligands; Aniline oxidation; Antimicrobial; Weakly coordinated anions; DFT

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-019-01009-z

Chemical Papers 74 (5) 1561–1572 (2020)