Phenolate complexes of iron(III) in dimethylsulphoxide solution

The formation of complexes between Fe3+ and 2,4-dinitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol and 4-methylphenol is studied in dimethylsulphoxide solution. The reaction proceeds almost to completion and the occurrence, in solution, of complexes with higher stoichiometry than 1∶1 is reported for the first time. The following stability constants are determined (25 °C, 0.1 M KClO4): FeIII-2,4-dinitrophenolate β1=1.8×103, β2=4.4×105; FeIII-4-nitrophenolate β1=1.10×107, β2=2.5×1012 β3=3.9×1016; FeIII-4-methylphenolate β=1.7×1012.