Cobalt complexes formed from 2,2’-bipyridine (bpy) have been used to study electron transfer mechanisms, to facilitate redox reactions in solar cells, and to catalyze the reduction of alkynes. However, there is comparatively less research into the preparation and use of functionalized cobalt-bpy complexes, particularly those that could serve as reactants for additional chemical synthesis. In this presentation, a scheme for the synthesis and characterization of the as-yet unreported functionalized complex [Co(4-brbpy)3]3+ (4-brbpy = 4-bromo-2,2’-bipyridine) is proposed. The synthesis of this complex resembles that previously published for the related complex [Co(4-fbpy)3]3+ (4-fbpy = 4-fluoro-2,2’-bipyridine). Characterization of the synthesized product is carried out via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) spectroscopies. While NMR suggests the precipitated solid product contains the target [Co(4-brbpy)3]3+ complex, additional spectroscopic signals indicate the presence of impurities. Investigations into the identities of these extraneous substances is ongoing. Spectroscopic measurements of purified [Co(4-brbpy)3]3+ will be compared to those of the unfunctionalized complex [Co(bpy)3]3+ in an effort to understand how functionalization of the bpy ligand changes the properties of these complexes.
