Novel µ-nitrido homo-/heteroleptic iron–manganese complexes as promising oxidants

Binuclear μ-bridged macrocycle dimers have been attracting considerable attention because of their catalytic ability in organic substrates oxidation. This work focuses on the preparation and properties of novel µ-nitrido iron–manganese homo-/heteroleptic complexes bearing porphyrin and phthalocyanine ligands. The compounds are identified and studied using UV, IR, EPR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and electrochemistry techniques. Subjecting the complexes to ^tBuOOH in CH₂Cl₂ resulted in chemical generation of different high-valence species capable of decomposing β-carotene and peroxide at room temperature. The active reaction intermediates are rather stable to be identified using spectroscopic methods aiming at further establishing the reaction mechanism. The complexes composition is found to affect their redox properties and path of the studied substrate oxidation. The findings contribute to expanding the range of compounds with the controlled oxidizing capability to create active and durable catalysts.