Highly dispersed supported iron particles from the decomposition of iron carbonyl on HY zeolite

13C-NMR spectroscopy has been applied to the investigation of the adsorption, binding, and behavior of Fe(CO)5 on HY zeolite (activated at 400 °C). Photochemical and thermal decompositions were followed and led to the identification of different interactions with the surface. A stronger interaction, characterized by a larger charge transfer, is observed for the various Fe(CO)x < 5 moieties present in the course of the photochemical decomposition as compared to the thermally induced process. Highly dispersed and pyrophoric iron can be prepared in this manner.