Synthesis and crystal structure of [Co(mpt)_2{P(OCH_3)_3}_2]BF_4 (Hmpt = 2-mercaptothiazoline)

The monomeric cobalt-phosphite-thiolato complex [ Co (mpt)₂ {P (OCH₃ )₃ }₂ ] BF₄ (Hmpt = 2-mercaptothiazoline) has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 0.8078(5), b = 2.6020(18), c= 1.2191(7) nm, β= 99.38 (1)°, V = 2.528(3) nm³, and Z = 4. The structure comprises discrete cations [Co (mpt)₂(P(OCH₃)₃}₂] ⁺ and anions BF₄ ^?, in which the cobalt (III) atom is coordinated to two chelate mpt^? and two cis-oriented monodentate P(OCH₃)₃ ligands in a highly distorted octahedral geometry. The most distorted angles are S(2)-Co(1)-S(2a) of 162.23(10)° and N (l)-Co(1)-S(2) of 71.47 (13)°, the latter is caused by the geometric constraint of the bidentate ligand mpt^?. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to study the electrochemical behavior of the title complex on the Pt electrode in MeCN solution with 0.1 mol · L^?1 of Bu₄ⁿ NBF₄ 89 electrolyte, The dts indicate that the title complex is unstable in MeCN.