Synthesis and Characterization of a Stable High-Valent Cobalt Carbene Complex

Abstract

The formally Co(IV) carbene Co(OR)2(═CPh2) is formed upon the reaction of diphenyldiazomethane with the cobalt bis(alkoxide) precursor Co(OR)2(THF)2. Structural, spectroscopic, and theoretical studies demonstrate that Co(OR)2(═CPh2) has significant high-valent Co(IV)═CPh2 character with non-negligible spin density on the carbene moiety.