Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Energy Solutions Using Nanocomposites as Processed Thermoelectric Materials
Published on: May 17, 2024
Synthesis of [Fe2[(μ-SeCH2)2NH](CN)2(CO)4]2- and Related Iron Selenoates
Xin Yu1, Toby J Woods1, Thomas B Rauchfuss1
1School of Chemical Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.
Abstract:
The dianion [Fe2[(μ-SeCH2)2NH](CN)2(CO)4]2- ([2]2-) is of interest for the preparation of the selenide analog of the active site of the [FeFe]-hydrogenases. The obvious route for its synthesis by cyanation of Fe2[(μ-SeCH2)2NH](CO)6 (3) fails for reasons that this paper explains and resolves. We show that CN- cleaves Se-C bonds in 3. For example, treatment of Fe2[(μ-SeCH2)2NH](CO)6 with NEt4CN followed by CH3I gives substantial amounts of Fe2(μ-SeCH3)2(CO)6. Authentic [2]2- can be obtained by cyanation of Fe2[(μ-SeCH2)2NH](CO)5(pyridine). The 77Se NMR data for [2]2- and 3 are reevaluated and explained. Attempts to prepare Fe2[(μ-SeCH2)2NH](PPh3)2(CO)4 (9) by Me3NO-induced decarbonylation of 3 also suffers from degradation of the organoselenium ligand. Complex 9 was prepared instead by photosubstitution. The protonation of [2]2- and [Fe2[(μ-SCH2)2NH](CN)2(CO)4]2- are compared: the selenium compounds are more basic. The structure of [HFe2[(μ-SCH2)2NH](CN)2(CO)4]- was determined crystallographically.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Stereoisomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Formation of Complex Ions
Precipitation and Co-precipitation

