Influence of the anion of Fe-III salts on the product distribution in the oxidative degradation of a tetrapyridyl ligand

We have focused our interest on the tetrapyridyl ligand bis[di(2-pyridyl)me thyl]amine (BDPMA) in order to prepare mononuclear non-heme iron(III) compl exes as catalyst precursors in oxidation reactions. The investigation of co rresponding iron(III) complexes has revealed the fragility of the BDPMA lig and. Different degradation products of the starting ligand have been crysta llized and the distribution of these derivatives strongly depends on the na ture of the anion in the iron(III) salts.