Binding of fluorine containing anions by new cationic Co(III) complex: Competitive interaction of chloride and hexafluorophosphate with [Co(phen)(H2biim)2]3+

► Synthesis of new cationic Co(III) complex, [Co(phen)(H2biim)2]3+ for first time. ► Utilization of above complex in synthesis of [Co(phen)(H2biim)2](PF6)2·Cl·2H2O. ► Selective interactions of Cl− and PF6− towards complex cation have been observed. ► Non-covalent interactions C-H⋯F, N-H⋯Cl, and N-H⋯O are playing crucial role in lattice stabilization.