The potential of transition metal complexes to undergo concerted reductive elimination is dependent on their ability to traverse two-electron changes in oxidation state (ie. Pd(0)/Pd(II); Rh(I)/Rh(III)). While this transformation has been shown with many late transition metals of the second and third-row, examples of first-row transition metals undergoing concerted reductive elimination are scarce. It would be very advantageous (chemically and economically) if this chemistry could be expanded to first-row transition metals, such as cobalt. A series of (POCOP)Co pincer complexes have been synthesized and characterized including (POCOP)Co(Cl), (POCOP)Co(Cl)2, and (POCOP)Co(CF3)(Cl). Due to the instability of Co(III) complexes, decomposition to form more stable Co(II) compounds has been a common deterrent. The utilization of PSiP pincer ligands has also been explored, with the aim that the strong field silyl donor should help stabilize the Co(III) oxidation state.

Synthesis and reactivity of (POCOP)Co pincer complexes

246th National Meeting (2013)

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