Abstract Formal insertion of phenylethyne into Co-H functions of mer-octahedral acyl(enolato)-cobalt(III) hydrides 1-3 proceeds under ambient conditions affording η1-vinylcobalt(III) compounds where the dianionic acyl(enolato) ligands are derived from 2-formyl-4-phenyl-cyclohexanone (4), 1-formyl-cyclohexan-2-one (5), and 3-hydroxo-2,3-diphenyl-propenal (6). Dissociation and association of trimethylphosphane results in a reversible transformation of penta-coordinate complexes 4 -6 into hexa-coordinate ones 7 -9, respectively, involving different tautomeric vinyl species. In toluene solution 9 rearranges by reductive C,C coupling into a 5,6-η2-olefin(enolato)cobalt(I) complex 10. Trimethylsilylethyne undergoes a hydrolytic desilylation reaction which is followed by reductive C,C-coupling reactions of acyl and vinyl functions selectively producing chelating η1-enolato-5,6-η2-olefin ligands in cobalt(I) com pounds 13 -16 where the (ax,eq)chelating ligands are derived from 1-formyl-cyclohexan-2-one (13), 3-hydroxo-2,3-diphenyl-propenal (14), 2-formyl-α-tetralone (15), and 2-formyl-4-tert-butyl-cyclohexanone (16). An axial position of the enolato-O donor in the trigonal bipyramidal configuration of complex 15 has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. With 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)buta-diyne 1,2-addition in cobalt(III) hydrides 2, 3, 11 (as deriverd from 2-formyl-α-tetralone), and 12 (as derived from 2-formyl-4-tert-butyl-cyclohexanone) produces 2-metalated vinyl groups in compounds 17 -20. Dissociation of trimethylphosphane from 17 and 19 does not activate C,C coupling at the cobalt(III) centre of penta-coordinate 21 and 22. Steric congestion in compounds 17, 18, and 20 favours exchange of trimethylphosphine for carbon monoxide affording the first octahedral carbonyl complexes of cobalt (d6) (23 -25). In the crystal and in solution a meridional configuration is adopted by complex 23 with the CO group in a position opposite to the acyl function.