Benzoic hydroxamate-based iron complexes as model compounds for humic substances: synthesis, characterization and algal growth experiments

A series of monomeric and dimeric Fe super(III) complexes bearing benzoic hydroxamates as O,O-chelates has been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), cyclic voltammetry, EPR spectroscopy and for some examples by X-ray diffraction analysis. The stability of the synthesized complexes in pure water and seawater was monitored over 24 h by means of UV-Vis spectrometry. The ability to release iron from the synthesized model complexes has been investigated with algae growth experiments.