Structural characterization of the μ-Nitrido Complex {[Fe(OEP)]2N}

The molecular structure of the μ-nitrido dimer, μ-nitrido-bis(2,3,7,8,12,13, 17,18-octaethylporphyrinato)iron, is reported. The axial Fe-N distances average to 1.657 (11) Å and the equatorial distances average to 2.005(5) Å. Although not required by symmetry, the two iron centers appear equivalent and are consistent with an assignment of a low-spin state and a formal oxidation state of +3.5. A comparison of this structure with other nitrido-bridged species is given.