Two-electron, three-centre carbon–hydrogen–cobalt bonds in the compounds [Co(η-C5Me4R)(η-C2H4)(η-C2H4-µ-H)] BF4, R = Me and Et

Abstract

Protonation of Co(η-C₅H₄R)(η-C₂H₄)₂, R = Me or Et with tetrafluoroboric acid gives the compounds [Co(η-C₅Me₄R)(η-C₂H₄)Et]Bf₄, R = Me (1) or Et (2), in which a β-hydrogen of the Co–ethyl group forms a C–HCo bridge via a two-electron, three-centre bond.