A series of FeIII complexes of stoichiometry [FeLX3].nH2O have been synthesized, where X = Cl-, HCO-2 and L is a flexible bidentate ligand, 1,3(bis-benzimidazolyl) propane and 1,4(bis-benzimidazolyl)butane. Mössbauer data reveals that the isomer shift values lie in the range typically observed for high spin FeIII complexes, while the slightly large quadrupole splitting parameter indicates a rhombically distorted FeIII centre. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal that the E1/2 for the FeIII/FeII couple for the formate complex shifts more cathodically than for the chloride complex; implying that HCO-2 is more effective at lowering the Lewis acidity of the FeIII centre.