General synthesis of iron(III) tetrathiolate complexes. Structural and spectroscopic models for the [Fe(Cys-S)4] center in oxidized rubredoxin

A general synthetic route to stable [Fe III (SR) 4 ] - complexes is described. The reaction of DMF solutions of [R 4 N]-[Fe III (2,6-dimethylphenolate) 4 ] with excess RSH (R=Me, Et, i-Pr, Ph) gives [R 4 N] [Fe(SR) 4 ] in good yield.