A paramagnetic cobalt–SiH intermediate possessing the Co–(η1-H–Si) moiety was studied using various spectroscopic techniques. Frozen solution ENDOR experiments show a Co–H distance of ∼1.53 Å and a Si–Co–H angle of ∼15°, whereas XRD data suggest a TBP geometry about a Co(II) centre. Its stepwise deprotonation with base followed by dehalogenation was identified experimentally and theoretically.
