Cleavage by halogens of carbon-cobalt bonds in organometallic complexes of cobalt(III)

Axial alkyl or aryl groups, o -bonded to the metal atom in some tetradentate Co III complexes, are readily removed by iodine or iodine monochloride; electrophilic and radical attack on the carbon atom both can occur, depending upon the nature of the axial organic group and the chelating agent.