Novel dinuclear iron(III) complex [Fe 2(HPTB){ μ O 2P(OPh) 2}{O 2P(OPh) 2} 2](ClO 4) 2, where HPTB is the anion of N,N,N′,N′ tetrakis(2 benzimidazolylmethyl) 2 hydroxy 1,3 diaminopropane, was prepared in order to provide a model for the active site of purple acid phosphatase (PAP). This compound has been characterized by X ray crystallography. Crystal data: triclinic, space group P 1, a =1.512 13(5), b =1.591 19(5), c \{=1.890 90(5)\} nm, α =69.925(1)°, β =84.358(1)°, γ =65.712(1)°, Z =2. Dinuclear iron(III) centers are bridged by a μ OR group from HPTB, a bidentate bridging diphenylphosphate and two terminal diphenylphosphates coordinate to Fe(III) centers.
