Synthesis of tris(t-butylisocyanide)bis(tri-n-butylphosphine)cobalt(II) perchlorate.: An example of a cobalt(II) complex with alkylisocyanide and trialkylphosphine ligands

A cobalt(II) complex with alkylisocyanide and trialkylphosphine ligands is reported. Tris(t-butylisocyanide)bis(tri-n-butylphosphine)cobalt(II) perchlorate, [Co(CNCMe3)(3){P(C4H9-n)(3)}(2)](ClO4)(2), was synthesized by AgClO4 oxidation of [Co(CNCMe3)(3){P(C4H9-n)(3)}(2)]ClO4. Characterization in solid and solution states indicates that the coordination structure cannot be the familiar axially-disubstituted trigonal bipyramidal coordination seen in eo(II)-triarylphosphine complexes. A C-2v trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal structure is postulated for the solution state.