Generation of maghemite nanocrystals from iron-sulfur centres.

Iron oxide nano-crystals 0.1-1.1 μm in diameter were generated on sulfur-doped amorphous carbon surfaces by electron beam irradiation of the novel 13e- high-spin complex [Fe(4-methyl-1,2-benzenedithiolate)2][NHEt3] encapsulated in a triblock copolymer. Possible relevance to iron nano-mineralization from Fe-S ferredoxin proteins and iron dysregulation in neurological disorders is discussed.