1 H NMR Evans method measurements show that 1 and 2 are paramagnetic septet, indicative of two high-spin (s = 3/2) Co 2+ centers, whereas 3 and 4 are diamagnetic species. The closed-shell natures of 3 and 4 are surprising due to the odd electron count of Co 2+ and indicates direct Co-Co or ligand-mediated spin pairing. To understand localized spin density on Co and nature of spin pairing, we performed Co Kβ XES measurements. The Kβ mainline spectrum is composed of the Kβ1,3 and Kβ' peaks. In systems with unpaired d-electrons, the energy position and splitting between these features is modulated by p-d exchange interactions.