Formation of {Co(dppe)}2{μ2‑η2:η2‑η2:η2‑[(C60)2]} Dimers Bonded by Single C–C Bonds and Bridging η2‑Coordinated Cobalt Atoms

Coordination of two bridging cobalt atoms to fullerenes by the η2 type in {Co­(dppe)}2{μ2-η2:η2-η2:η2-[(C60)2]}·3C6H4Cl2 [1; dppe = 1,2-bis­(diphenylphosphino)­ethane] triggers fullerene dimerization with the formation of two intercage C–C bonds of 1.571(4) Å length. Coordination-induced fullerene dimerization opens a path to the design of fullerene structures bonded by both covalent C–C bonds and η2-coordination-bridged metal atoms.