The reaction between PPh(CH(2)OH)(2), iron(II) sulfate, ammonium sulfate, and formaldehyde in aqueous solution gives the iron(II) complex [Fe(kappa(2)-O(2)SO(2))L(2)] (1), where L is the bidentate phosphine ligand 3,7-diphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane. During the course of the reaction, the ligand L self-assembles on the metal center. The reaction between PPh(CH(2)OH)(2), iron(II) chloride, ammonium chloride, and formaldehyde under similar conditions gives cis-[FeCl(2)L(2)] (cis-2). The complex cis-2 is converted into trans-2 in Et(2)O, whereas in water it is converted into cis-[Fe(OH(2))(2)L(2)](2+), though both of these interconversions are reversible. The chloro ligands in cis-2 are readily displaced by reaction with thiocyanate, azide, and carbonate to give cis- and trans-[Fe(NCS)(2)L(2)] (cis- and trans-3), cis- and trans-[Fe(N(3))(2)L(2)] (cis- and trans-4), and [Fe(kappa(2)-O(2)CO)L(2)] (5), respectively. The complex cis-2 reacts with CO in water to give trans-[FeCl(CO)L(2)]Cl (trans-6), whereas trans-2 reacts with CO in diethyl ether to give cis-[FeCl(CO)L(2)]Cl (cis-6), though cis-6 isomerizes in water to form trans-6. The reaction of cis-2 with sodium borohydride gives the hydride chloride complex trans-[FeCl(H)L(2)] (7). Electrochemical studies have been undertaken on complexes 1, cis-2, and 7. These reveal reversible oxidations for cis-2 and 7, with the latter giving rise to an unusual 17-electron iron(III) hydride chloride complex. Crystal structures have been obtained for 1, trans-2, trans-3, 5, and 7.