Oxidative Group Transfer to Co(I) Affords a Terminal Co(III) Imido Complex

The synthesis of the first terminal imido complex of cobalt, [PhBP3]CoN-p-tolyl, is reported. Its synthesis proceeds by oxidative group transfer from cobalt(I) upon addition of tolyl azide at room temperature. This species and a related η1-diazoalkane adduct have been structurally characterized. The diamagnetic imido complex [PhBP3]CoN-p-tolyl reacts with CO to liberate isocyanate and the cobalt(I) dicarbonyl complex [PhBP_(3)]Co(CO)_(2)