The first example of cobalt(III) μ-oxoacetate with water molecules in apical positions

Oxidation of Co(MeCOO) 2 ·4H 2 O with ozone in acetic acid followed by the treatment with nitric acid results in the formation of the trinuclear oxo-centered acetate complex [Co III 3 (μ 3 -O)(μ-O 2 CMe) 6 (OH 2 ) 3 ] NO 3 ·MeCOOH ([ I ]NO 3 ·MeCOOH). Reasons of a decrease in the idealized symmetry of molecular structure ( D 3 h → D 3 ) of the complex cation [ I ] + were analyzed by means of quantum-chemical calculations. The complex does not retain its structure in solutions (in water, methanol, and ethanol).