Deprotonation of [IPrPh]I (1) with Co{N(SiMe3)2}2 readily affords the abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) complex (aIPrPh)2CoI2 (2) (aIPrPh = 1,3-bis(2,6-iPr2C6H3)-2-phenyl-imidazol-4-ylidene). Treatment of 1 with NaHBEt3 yields (aIPrPh)BEt3 (3) that serves as an aNHC-transfer agent and yields (aIPrPh)Co{N(SiMe3)2}2 (4) on reaction with Co{N(SiMe3)2}2.