Novel syntheses of tetrakis(benzylisocyanide)bis (tri-p-methoxyphenylphosphine)cobalt(III) tetrafluoroborate

Abstract

Co(I), Co(II) and Co(III) complexes containing the same ligands, [Co(CNCH₂Ph)₃ {P(C₆H₄OMe-p)₃}₂]BF₄ (1), [Co(CNCH₂Ph)₃{P(C₆H₄OMe-p)₃}₂](BF₄)₂ (2) and [Co(CNCH₂Ph)₄ {P(C₆H₄OMe-p)₃}₂](BF₄)₃ (3), have been synthesized and characterized. Syntheses of 3 by disproportionation or competing disproportionation and reduction reactions of the Co(II) complex [Co(CNCH₂Ph)₅]²⁺, and by AgBF₄ oxidation of 2, are both unique reactions for alkylisocyanidetriarylphosphine complexes of Co(II). The physical properties of 1, 2 and 3 give little indication of their novel synthetic behavior.

Keywords:

• Alkylisocyanide
• Triarylphosphine
• Cobalt(III) complex
• Disproportionation reaction
• Cobalt(II) complex

Acknowledgements

We thank the Faculty of Science Research and Publications Committee of the University of Botswana for a grant supporting this research.