Electron-reservoir Fe-I complexes: Multiple applications as electron-transfer reagents and the extraordinary reactivity of superoxide generated from dioxygen

International audienceThe electron-transfer properties of electron-reservoir Fe-I sandwich complexes are briefly reviewed, with emphasis on their ability to generate extremely reactive superoxide radical anion. These electron-transfer processes include (i) stoichiometric electron-transfer reactions to a variety of substrates, (ii) redox catalysis, (iii) initiation of electron-transfer-chain catalyzed processes, (iv) sensors in dendrimers for molecular recognition and (v) new, solvent- and medium-independent references for the determination of electrochemical redox potentials