Synthesis and characterization of metal-centered, six-membered, mixed-valent, heterometallic wheels of iron, manganese, and indium

Heptanuclear metal-centered, six-membered. mixed-valent, heterometallic wheels 1-3 of iron, manganese, and indium were prepared in a one-pot reaction from N-benzyldiethanolamine (H₂L¹), cesium carbonate, [PPh₄]₂[MnCl₄], and FeCl₃ or InCl₃. All three complexes were characterized by the combination of elemental analysis, FAB mass spectroscopy, X-ray diffrac tion and cyclic voltammetry. and in the case of 1 additionally by Mössbauer spectroscopy. In 1, four Mn^II ions in the periphery are arranged in pairs alternating with one Fe^III ion each, with an Fe^III ion located in the center. In 2, three Mn^II ions alternate with three In^III ions, whereas in 3, four In^III ions are arranged in pairs and alternate with one Mn^II ion each. In 2 and 3 an Mn ^II ion is encapsulated in the center.