Preparation and Catalase-Like Function of a Binuclear Iron(III) Complex with N,N,N',N'-Tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-l,3-diaminopropane

The complex derived from F e (N 0 3)3 -9 H 20 and perchlorate salt o f N ,N ,N ',N '-te trak is(2-pyridylm ethyl)-2-hydroxy-l,3-diam inopropane (abbreviated as H (H PT P)) is form ulated as a binuclear species with //-alkoxo and //-hydroxo bridges, [Fe 2 (H P T P )(0 H )(N 0 3)2](C104)2, on the basis o f analytical data , m agnetic properties, and conductivity data . This complex reacts with hydrogen peroxide in w ater to form a violet adduct with new charge transfer bands in the range 520-600 nm. This adduct is very unstable at room tem perature, indicating the high catalase-like function o f this complex. The complex exhibits a high ability to degradate D NA in the presence o f H 20 2. The observed high catalase-like and bleom ycin-like functions o f the complex are discussed in term s o f the activation o f the peroxide ion by the binuclear iron(III) com pound.