Simultaneous metalation and conversion of the phenyldecorated pro-ligand (H3 Ph L) to its triply anionic, tris-PN form occurred upon treatment with a Co ) and 1.867(3) Å; bridging Co-N distances are longer, in the range 1.96~2.04 Å, consistent with distances reported in oligomeric Co-PN complexes. The structure of compound 1 recapitulates the strong tendency of late transition metals to bind PN ligands via bridging modes (Fig ). In principle, increasing the steric encumbrance of the flanking phosphorus substituents via usage of the H3 Ad L ligand variant may enable the synthesis of mononuclear Co II derivatives and efforts on this front are ongoing.