Cobalt Cyclopentadienyl-Phosphine Dinitrogen Complexes

By applying the potassium salts of cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands LK to CoCl₂, the corresponding cobalt chlorides ( 1 , L Co^IICl) were prepared. By reducing complexes 1 with KHBEt₃ under a N₂ atmosphere, bridging end-on complexes, L Co^I−N₂−Co^I L ( 2 a and 2 b ), were successfully obtained. ¹⁵N₂-labeled ¹⁵N₂]- 2 a was prepared under ¹⁵N₂/¹⁴N₂ exchange in THF solution. L Co^I−N₂−Co^I L complex 2 a could react with P₄ molecules to release N₂ and generate a Co−P₄−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-PCy₂-bridged Co⁰−N₂ complex 5 . DFT calculations confirmed the experimental observations.