Stilbene analogues incorporating the Co(η4-C4Ph4)(η5-C5H4-) end group

► Preparation of a series of cobalt and mixed cobalt/ferrocenyl stilbene analogues. ► Solid state structural parameters of 11 new cobalt compounds. ► The cobalt compounds generally undergo a reversible one-electron oxidation. ► OTTLE experiments show new LMCT or IVCT bands in the NIR.