Unexpected Formation of a Disulfide from 2-Mercaptopyridine and Co(II)

The reaction between the Co(II) ion and 2-mercaptopyridine in the presence of base yields a disulfide Co(II) complex, namely [CoCl2(2,2￠-dipyridyldisulfide)] 1. The structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The Co(II) ion coordinates to two chlorine atoms and two nitrogen atoms in a tetrahedral fashion. This result provides insight into the formation of 2,2￠-dipyridyldisulfide from 2-mercaptopyridine.