Structure of a (μ-Oxo)(dihydroxo)diiron(III) Complex and Its Reactivity toward Phosphodiesters

The first (μ-oxo)diiron(III) complex with one terminal hydroxide ligand at each iron has been structurally characterized, thus providing new information on Fe−OH bonds. Acid/base equilibria were observed in aqueous solution, and the conjugate acid of the title complex was found to be a catalyst for hydrolysis of phosphodiesters at 50 °C, reinforcing the general idea about a synergistic effect in a dinuclear unit of a substrate binding site and a site containing a nucleophile. This effect has been proposed in the mechanism of purple acid phosphatase and other bimetallic hydrolases.