[2‐(2‐{Bis[2‐(1H‐imidazol‐2‐ylmethyleneamino)ethyl]amino}ethyliminomethyl)imidazolido]cobalt(III) bis(tetrafluoridoborate) monohydrate

The title compound, Co(C₁₈H₂₃N₁₀)](BF₄)₂·H₂O, is the result of complexing a Co cation (initially in a Co^II state) with tris2‐(1H‐imidazol‐2‐ylmethyleneamino)ethyl]amine (L), obtained by a condensation process involving imidazole‐2‐carbaldehyde and tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine. Both the Co cation and the ligand were modified in the synthesis process, the cation via oxidation to Co^III, and the ligand via deprotonation to convert it into the 2‐(2‐{bis2‐(1H‐imidazol‐2‐ylmethyleneamino)ethyl]amino}ethyliminomethyl)imidazolide anion (L⁻). The ligand chelates the metal centre in a hexadentate fashion, forming a slightly distorted octahedral CoN₆ chromophore. Packing is governed by N—H...N hydrogen bonds defining zigzag chains. A similar structure in the literature is discussed, and the wrong assignment of the oxidation state, given therein to the Co cation, is corrected.