Solid state and crystalline state-specific (ω→α) photoisomerization-linked dioxygenation reaction of (ω-substituted alkyl)cobalt complexes

A unique tandem reaction ((ω→α) photoisomerization-linked dioxygen insertion to Co-C bond) was found to occur to afford (α-substituted alkylperoxy)bis(diphenylglyoximato)(L)cobalt(III) complexes, when (ω-substituted alkyl)bis(diphenylglyoximato)(L)cobalt(III) complexes were irradiated with visible light under an aerobic condition in the solid and crystalline state. The reaction proceeds efficiently, when the substituent has a character to stabilize the radical at the carbon attached and also to destabilize the Co-C bond of the intermediate α-substituted alkyl cobalt complexes.