Syntheses, crystal structures, and electrochemical studies of Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)(μ-L) (L = OH, OPPh₂, PPh₂)

<div><p>Reaction of Fe₃(CO)₁₂ and Ph₂PH in the presence of Et₃N in THF at 0 °C immediately forms Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)(μ-OH) (<b>1</b>), Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)(μ-k²O,P-OPPh₂) (<b>2</b>), and Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂)₂ (<b>3</b>) in yields of 25, 14, and 19%, respectively. Experiments confirm that Et₃N shortens the reaction time. The absence of O₂ hinders the formation of <b>2</b>. The presence of H₂O can increase the yield of <b>1</b>. Their structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography and the complexes have been completely characterized by EA, IR, and ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR. Electrochemical studies reveal that they exhibit catalytic H₂-producing activities.</p>