The electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, and pyridine binding reactions of ((CN)4TPP)Con were investigated in nine nonaqueous solvents. The four electron-withdrawing CN groups on the porphyrin ring lead to extremely facile reductions such that three one-electron additions could be observed within the range of the solvent. The first reduction occurred between -0.21 and -0.51 V vs. SCE and was assigned as due td formation of Co(II) anion radical. This is in contrast to reduction of unsubstituted (TPP)Co11 where the formation of Co(I) is postulated to occur. The second reduction of ((CN)4TPP)Co occurs between -0.80 and -0.94 V vs. SCE and is assigned as due to formation of a Co(I) anion radical. Finally, the third reduction occurs between -1.72 and -1.78 V vs. SCE and is assigned as due to formation of a Co(I) dianion. All three reductions were monitored by thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry, and the spectrum of each reduction product was obtained. A spectrum of electrooxidized ((CN)4TPP)Con was also obtained in pyridine and methylene chloride. The former solvent is the only one in which a well-defined Co(II) ¡=2 Co(III) transition was observed. In addition, the electrochemistry and pyridine binding reactions of ((CN)4TPP)Co were investigated in CH2Cl2/pyridine mixtures. Values of E¡¡2 for each electrode reaction were monitored as a function of pyridine concentration, and on the basis of these data, an overall oxidation-reduction and ligand addition scheme was formulated. Stability constants were measured for the stepwise addition of two pyridine molecules to ((CN)4TPP)Con and [((CN)4TPP)Com]+. Similar magnitudes of formation constants were obtained by using electrochemical and spectral methods to monitor the ligand binding reactions of Co(II). Both mono-and bis(pyridine) adducts to Co(II) were identified by electronic absorption spectroscopy.