(2.2.2-Cryptand)potassium tetra-kis-(η(2)-ethyl-ene)cobaltate(-I).

The title salt, [K(C(18)H(36)N(2)O(6))][Co(C(2)H(4))(4)], is one of only two known homoleptic ethyl-enemetalates. The cation and anion are well separated, which gives an unperturbed tetra-hedral anion as is expected for a formally Co(-I)d(10) metal center. The considerable elongation of the C=C bonds of the ethyl-ene ligands [average 1.401 (6) Å], relative to that of free ethyl-ene (1.333 Å), is consistent with metal→π* back-bonding models. One arm of the 2.2.2-cryptand (4,7,13,16,21,24-hexa-oxa-1,10-diaza-bicyclo-[8.8.8]hexa-cosa-ne) complexant is disordered and was modeled over two positions with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.559 (2):0.441 (2). In the crystal, the cationic K(2.2.2-cryptand) units are linked via C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers. There are no other significant inter-molecular inter-actions in the crystal structure.