The anion fac-[Fe(CO)3I3]− undergoes rapid decomposition to release CO and involve iodine radical. The CO-release can be tuned by its cations. The radical causes severe cytotoxicity which may endow the anion a great potential as an anticancer drug.

The diiron(ii) complexes liberated CO in a variety of solvents and the CO-releasing pathway was solvent-dependent. In less polar solvents, the CO-release went through a triiron intermediate. Cytotoxicity of the complexes varied with the halide and the thiolate.

A novel catalyst-free method for the synthesis of structurally diverse indole thioethers in moderate to excellent yields.

A highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of β-haloalkenyl sulfides using commercially available ketones and sulfonyl hydrazides as starting materials has been developed. This protocol obviates the need for alkynes and traditional sulfenylating agents and therefore opens up a new door to construct β-iodoalkenyl sulfides in a highly simple manner. This study reveals that ketones could be used as vinyl iodide precursors in organic synthesis.