Synthesis and crystal structure of [Co(mpt)(2){P(OCH3)(3)}(2)]BF4 (Hmpt = 2-mercaptothiazoline)

The monomeric cobalt-phosphite-thiolato complex [Co(mpt)(2){P(OCH3)(3)}(2)] BF4 (Hmpt = 2-mercaptothiazoline) has been prepared and characterized by X -ray crystallography. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space grou p C2/c with a = 0.8078 (5), b = 2.6020 (18), c = 1.2191 (7) nm, beta = 99.3 8 (1)degrees, V = 2.528(3) nm(3), and Z = 4. The structure comprises discre te cations [Co(mpt)(2){P(OCH3)(3)}(2)](+) and anions BF4-, in which the cob alt (III) atom is coordinated to two chelate mpt(-) and two cis-oriented mo nodentate P(OCH3)(3) ligands in a highly distorted octahedral geometry. The most distorted angles are S(2)-Co(1)-S(2a) of 162.23 (10)degrees and N(1)- Co(1)-S(2) of 71.47 (13)degrees, the latter is caused by the geometric cons traint of the bidentate ligand mpt(-). Cyclic voltammetry has been used to study the electrochemical behavior of the title complex on the Pt electrode in MeCN solution with 0.1 mol.L-1 of (Bu4NBF4)-N-n as electrolyte. The res ults indicate that the title complex is unstable in MeCN.