Influence of the anion of FeIII 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)methyl]amine (BDPMA) in order to prepare mononuclear non-heme iron(III) complexes as catalyst precursors in oxidation reactions. The investigation of corresponding iron(III) complexes has revealed the fragility of the BDPMA ligand. Different degradation products of the starting ligand have been crystallized and the distribution of these derivatives strongly depends on the nature of the anion in the iron(III) salts.