Cobalt Cyclopentadienyl-Phosphine Dinitrogen Complexes.

By applying the potassium salts of cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands LK to CoCl , the corresponding cobalt chlorides (1, LCo Cl) were prepared. By reducing complexes 1 with KHBEt under a N atmosphere, bridging end-on complexes, LCo -N -Co L (2 a and 2 b), were successfully obtained. N -labeled [ N ]-2 a was prepared under N / N exchange in THF solution. LCo -N -Co L complex 2 a could react with P molecules to release N and generate a Co-P -Co moiety 4. Further reduction of complex 2 b led to cleavage of a P-C bond in the cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligand to provide novel μ-PCy -bridged Co -N complex 5. DFT calculations confirmed the experimental observations.