A macrocyclic 'Co0' complex: the relevance of ligand non-innocence to reactivity

Chem Commun (Camb). 2017 Jun 29;53(53):7282-7285. doi: 10.1039/c7cc02239e.

Abstract

We present a formally zero-valent compound, [Co(Mabiq)Na(OEt2)]2 (1). The complex was characterized by crystallographic, spectroscopic and DFT computational methods. The electronic structure is described as a CoII-(ligand-biradical). Compound 1 is reactive toward proton sources; CoI or CoII products result, depending on the source of protons used. The redox non-innocence of the Mabiq ligand, which accepts both protons and electrons, has important ramifications for reactivity.