Synthesis of a T‐Shaped Cobalt(I) Complex and Its Dinitrogen Adduct
Corey A. Sanz, Carolin A. M. Stein, Michael D. Fryzuk
Abstract
The coordination chemistry of the new NNP pincer ligand framework (QuiNacNacP) is explored with cobalt. Upon treatment of the cobalt(II) complex Co[QuiNacNacP]Cl with KC 8 , the formation of cobalt(I) dinitrogen complex Co[QuiNacNacP]N 2 was observed. Co[QuiNacNacP]N 2 crystallizes as a square planar ( S = 0) complex with an essentially unactivated N 2 ligand. In solution, the dinitrogen complex is in equilibrium with the paramagnetic T‐shaped complex Co[QuiNacNacP] ( S = 1). The ability of Co[QuiNacNacP]Cl to act as a catalyst precursor in the reductive silylation of dinitrogen was also briefly explored. Reaction of ≈ 1000 equivalents KC 8 with ≈ 1500 equivalents Me 3 SiCl (relative to Co[QuiNacNacP]Cl ) under 1 atm of N 2 furnished roughly 40 equivalents of N(SiMe 3 ) 3 .