Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of five cobalt(III) acetate complexes [Co
III3(
3-O)(CH
3CO
2)
5(OR)(py)
3][PF
6] are described, where py = pyridine and R = OCCH
3 (
A), H (
B), CH
3 (
C), CH
2CH=CH
2 (
D),and CH
2C
6H
5 (
E). Each is reduced irreversibly as observed by cyclic voltammetry at room temperature and at-40
C in acetonitrile at scan rates up to 20 V s
-1, but oxidized reversibly to a mixed-valence Co(III)
2Co(IV)species at ~1.23 V vs the ferrocenium/ferrocene couple. Controlled potential coulometry confirmed a one-electron-oxidation process. Spectroelectrochemical oxidation of
A at 5
C showed isosbestic points in the electronic absorptionspectrum that showed the oxidized complex to be stable in solution for at least 1 h.