Organocobaloximes: cobalt-carbon bond stability and synthesis

Abstract

Following the discovery that the naturally occurring vitamin B₁₂ coenzyme contained a stable Co---C sigma bond and the further realization that porphyrin-like corrin was an important factor in the stabilization of the Co---C bond, has led to the synthesis of a large number of organocobalt complexes. Inspite of the many known examples of such complexes in the literature, the synthesis of the Co---C bond with new or modified structural features continues to be a fascinating field of study. Many synthetic routes have been reported and many new ones are frequently emerging. In this article, a complete analysis of the synthetic aspects of organocobalt compounds and organocobaloximes, in particular, is undertaken. The stability of the Co---C bond, general methods of synthesis and experimental procedures are discussed.