The syntheses of the quinoxaline and pteridine proligands (3 and 4) related
to molybdopterin are described and 3 has been characterised complexed via
its dithiolene group to a CpCo(iii) centre (5). Each of 3-5 has the sensiti
ve hemiaminal unit of molybdopterin, unprotected, verifying its stability i
n vitro.