New η-allyl η-cyclopentadienylcobalt cations

Co(R-η-C₃H₄)(η-C₅H₅)I] is a good precursor for the preparation of some new cationic complexes as the iodide can easily be replaced; thus addition of PEt₃ to the iodo-complex (R  H) gives Co(η-C₃H₅)(η-C₅H₅)(PEt₃)]⁺. The reactions of Co(R-η-C₃H₄)(η-C₅H₅))I] (R  H or 2-Me) with AgBF₄ give solutions containing the coordinatively unsaturated species Co(R-η-C₃H₄)(η-C₅H₅)⁺. The presence of traces of water leads to the formation of Co(R-ηC₃H₄)-(η-C₅H₅)(H₂O)]⁺. The addition of monodentate ligands L  PEt₃ PPh₃, AsPh₃, SbPh₃, CNCH₃ and bidentate ligands LL  Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂(dppe) and o-C₆H₄(AsMe₂)₂(diars), gives, respectively mononuclear Co(2-Me-ηC₃H₄)-(η-C₅H₅)L]⁺ and binuclear ligand-bridged (2-Me-ηC₃H₄)(η-C₅H₅)CoLLCo(2-Me-ηC₃H₄)(η-C₅H₅))]²⁺ complexes. Crystals of Co(2-Me-ηC₃H₄)(η-C₅H₅)-(H₂O)]⁺BF₄]^- are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, with a 7.858(3), b 10.262(4), c 15.078(4) Å, β 98.36(1)°. The molecular structure contains the cobalt atom bonded to planar 2-Me-allyl and cyclopentadienyl substituents, which are almost parallel with the H₂O molecule in a staggered conformation with respect to the 2-Me group.