Low-valent cyanocobaltate chemistry. 1. Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of (K-crown)[CoCp(CO)(CN)]

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00120a034

CoCp(CO)₂ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) reacts in aprotic solvents with (K-Crown)CN or (PNP)CN to give the novel complexes (K-Crown)[CoCp(CO)(CN)] and (PNP)[CoCp-(CO)(CN)], whose spectroscopic and chemical properties indicate a high electron density on cobalt. In ligand exchange reactions, the cyanide dissociates exclusively, but slowly. The reactivity of the anion is dominated by its electron-transfer ability and basicity rather than its nucleophilicity.