title: Molecular N2 complexes of iron stabilised by N-heterocyclic 'pincer' dicarbene ligands.
abstract: The first N2 complex stabilised by N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, Fe(C-N-C)(N2)2, has been obtained by the reduction of Fe(C-N-C)Br2 where C-N-C = 2,6-bis(aryl-imidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine, aryl = 2,6-Pr(i)2C6H3, with Na(Hg); it serves as a convenient precursor for other iron NHC 'pincer' complexes of the type Fe(C-N-C)(N2)L where L = C2H4, PMe3 and Fe(C-N-C)(CO)2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1BJ, UK. ad1@soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Andreas A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Danopoulos
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Motherwell