Abstract The X-ray photoelectron spectra of cobalt(III) complexes in an unusual spin triplet state are reported. The binding energies in the 2P spectral region are somewhat low and the spectra exhibit rather strong satellite structure. The Co 2P1/2-CO 2P3/2 separations and satellite intensities appear to be related to the magnetic moments of the complexes as has been suggested previously for cobalt(II) compounds.