The X-ray structures of the redox-related pair [Co2(CO)2(µ-MeC2Me)(µ-dppm)2] and [Co2(CO)2(µ-MeC2Me)(µ-dppm)2][PF6], CH2Cl2(dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2): an experimental test of the M.O. bonding scheme for the µ-alkyne complexes [M2(CO)6(µ-RC2R)]

Abstract

X-ray structural studies on [Co₂(CO)₂(µ-MeC₂Me)(µ-dppm)₂]^z(z= 0 and +1) show that one-electron oxidation results in an 11° rotation of the µ-alkyne relative to the shortened (by ca. 0.1 Å) cobalt–cobalt bond, in accord with predictions based on molecular orbital theory.