Alkynyl cobalt complexes. An electrochemical study

The preparation and characterisation of the complexes Co2(CO)5(PMe3)(μ-η2-Me3SiC2CCSiMe3) (2) and Co2(CO)4(PMe3)2(μ-η2-Me3SiC2CCSiMe3) (3) are described. A comparative electrochemical study of the complexes Co2(CO)6−nLn(μ-η2-Me3SiC2CCSiMe3) (n=0 (1); n=1, L=PMe3 (2); n=2, L=PMe3 (3), PPh2Me (4), dppa (5), dppm (6)) is presented by means of the cyclic and square-wave voltammetry techniques. Substitution of CO by phosphine ligands transforms the Co2C2 redox centre from a readily reducible to an easily oxidisable centre and contributes to the stabilisation of the Co–Co bond increasing the lifetime of the radical cations and anions.