NN-dialkylcarbamato-complexes of cobalt(II)

Abstract

By reaction of anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride with a secondary amine and carbon dioxide in a hydrocarbon solvent, NN-dialkylcarbamato-complexes of cobalt(II), [Co_n(O₂CNR₂)_2n](R = Et or Prⁱ), have been prepared. The crystal and molecular structure of the hexameric violet derivative, [Co₆(O₂CNEt₂)₁₂], has been solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The complex is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a= 18.428(9), b= 19.189(8), c= 24.654(13)Å, β= 95.90(6)°, Z= 8, and R= 0.0639. The six cobalt atoms are joined by bridging carbamato-groups. The main structural feature of the hexameric molecule is that four of the cobalt atoms are five-co-ordinated in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The cobalt(II) complexes react with electrophiles with displacement of carbon dioxide.