Synthesis and crystal structure of a rare square-planar Co(II) complex of a hydroxyamidinate ligand

Novel hydroxyamidinate complexes of cobalt(II) are presented, together with their electrochemical and spectroscopic properties. An unusual d(7) square-planar coordination around the cobalt(II) center exists and was confirmed by chemical oxidation to its Co(III) species. The Co(II) complex is difficult to reduce, but its facile oxidation suggests that it may be useful as an electron donor in photoredox reactions.