Redox properties of (RC2R')Co2(CO)6-nLn and reactivity of (RC2R')Co2(CO)6-nLn towards PPh3[LPPh3, P(OEt)3]

Cyclic voltammetric studies of clusters (C₅H₅-C₂C₆ H₄-R-p)Co₂(CO)6-n L_nn=0,2; L=PPh₃, P(OEt)₃] and (RCH₂C)₂Co₂(CO₄) (PPh₃)₂ on Pt electrode are described. The primary reduction (0 / ?1) and oxidation (+ 1 / 0) steps are considered as a mono-electron process for all clusters. For the clusters (C₅H₅C₂C₆H₄-R-p)Co₂(CO)₆, a good linear relation between reduction potential E_p^red and Hammett constant σ_p of R in the clusters is found. For the clusters (RC₂R')Co₂(CO)₄L₂, their radical anions are extremely unstable at room temperature and fragment into a series of mononuclear species, one of which is (RC₂R')Co(CO)₂PPh₃. The reaction of radical anions of (RC₂R')Co₂(CO)_6–n (PPh₃)_n(n=0,2) with PPh₃ also produces mononuclear species (RC₂R')Co(CO)₂PPh₃ which has been detected by means of cyclic voltammetry and ESR. The influence of R on redox properties of clusters is discussed.