Generation and transformation of a hemi-iminal-based metal-organic Fe(ii) structure obtained via subcomponent self-assembly in water.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a coordination architecture with a Fe(ii) center obtained by subcomponent self-assembly in water. The complex is based on very rare hemi-iminal ligands spontaneously generated from commercially available materials. The complex can be further transformed into another species by oxidation reaction of both the metal center and organic ligand.