Inversion of configuration in the nucleophilic displacement of cobalt from alkylcobalt(IV) complexes and its relevance to the halogenation of the corresponding alkylcobalt(III) complexes

Abstract

Nucleophilic displacement of cobalt from alkylcobalt(IV) complexes takes place with inversion of configuration at the α-carbon and probably accounts for the inversion of configuration found in alkyl halides obtained from the reaction between the corresponding alkylcobalt(III) complexes and halogens.