The 3d‐metal mediated nitrene transfer is under intense scrutiny due to its potential as an atom economic and ecologically benign way for the directed amination of (un)functionalised C−H bonds. Here we present the isolation and characterisation of a rare, trigonal imido cobalt(III) complex, which bears a rather long cobalt–imido bond. It can cleanly cleave strong C−H bonds with a bond dissociation energy of up to 92 kcal mol⁻¹ in an intermolecular fashion, unprecedented for imido cobalt complexes. This resulted in the amido cobalt(II) complex [Co(hmds)₂(NH^tBu)]⁻. Kinetic studies on this reaction revealed an H atom transfer mechanism. Remarkably, the cobalt(II) amide itself is capable of mediating H atom abstraction or stepwise proton/electron transfer depending on the substrate. A cobalt‐mediated catalytic application for substrate dehydrogenation using an organo azide is presented.

A pair of trigonal imido iron complexes ([Fe(NMes)L ₂ ] ^0,− ) in two oxidation states is reported. The anionic complex K{crypt.222}[Fe(NMes)L ₂ ] is best described as an iron( ii ) imide.