Octahedral Co(III) complexes of 2-(phenylimino)pyrrolyl ligands: Synthesis and structural characterisation

► The reactions of CoCl2 with three equivalents of 2-iminopyrrolyl sodium salts are studied. ► Homoleptic complexes [Co(κ2N,N′-phenyliminopyrrolyl)3] are formed in moderate yields. ► This oxidation reaction of Co(II) to Co(III) occurs under anaerobic conditions. ► Analogue complexes containing bulky 2,6-disubstituted Ph groups are not formed. ► These complexes are studied by NMR, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry.