Synthesis and Properties of Organo-Cyanoborane Complexes of Pentaamminecobalt(III)

Organo-cyanoborane ligands of formula R-BH 2 ‒C˭N (R is trimethylamine, pyridine, or triphenylphosphine) have been shown to displace the CF 3 SO 3 anion from trifluoromethanesulfonatopentaamminecobalt(III) cations in acetone to yield the respective nitrile complexes. These new cyanoborane complexes have been characterized via elemental analysis and by IR, visible and NMR spectroscopy. The reactions of these complexes in aqueous base and attempts to aminate the cyanide group in liquid ammonia will be described. The synthesis of some analogous alkyl nitrile complexes is described as well as the kinetics of their hydration reactions in basic media.