A nonheme peroxo-diiron(III) complex exhibiting both nucleophilic and electrophilic oxidation of organic substrates.

The complex [FeIII2(µ-O2)(L3)4(S)2]4+ (L3 = 2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole, S = solvent) forms upon reaction of [FeII(L3)2] with H2O2 and is a functional model of peroxo-diiron intermediates invoked during the catalytic cycle of oxidoreductases. The spectroscopic properties of the complex are in line with those of complexes formed with N-donor ligands. [FeIII2(µ-O2)(L3)4(S)2]4+ shows both nucleophilic (aldehydes) and electrophilic (phenol, N,N-dimethylanilines) oxidative reactivity and unusually also electron transfer oxidation.