Crystal structure and magnetic measurements of cis-dicyano-bis (1,10-phenanthroline)iron(III) sulfate

The structure of the solvatochromic complex cis-dicyano-bis(1,10-phenanthro line)iron(III) sulfate dihydrate was determined by X-ray diffraction. The c omplex crystallized in a compressed octahedral conformation with the cyanid e ligands cis-bonded. The unit cell contains enantiomeric pairs of the comp ound with a network of sulfate ions and water molecules stabilized by hydro gen bonding. The magnetic moments of the perchlorate salt dissolved in both water and nonaqueous solvents were probed and found to be in accord with a solvated, low spin [Fe(III)(phen)(2)(CN)(2)](+) ion, (mu (exp) = 2.0 - 2.6 BM, 298 K), showing no dependence on the empirical solvent parameters AN, DN, E-T(30) and pi*.