In previous work, different supporting L-type ligands were incorporated in Fe(II) SNS pincer catalysts by monoprotonation of the bis(amido) complex, mer-[Fe(κ 3 -S Me NS Me ) 2 ] (Fe-1), affording the isolable Fe amido-amine cation with an easily displaced SNS amine ligand. Herein we show that protonation of the Co analogue (Co-1) proceeds directly to the bis(amine) dication, fac-[Co(κ 3 -S Me N H S Me ) 2 ] 2+ . DFT studies clearly corroborate the mer → fac isomerization upon diprotonation of both Fe and Co complexes. To access an ancillary ligated hydroboration precatalyst, treatment of Co-1 with 1,3-bis(1adamantyl)imidazolium chloride (IAd•HCl) effects both amido ligand protonation and chloride addition, yielding the abnormally coordinated (at C4 instead of C2) IAd complex, Co II Cl(κ 2 -S Me NS Me )(a-IAd) (Co-3). DFT calculations showed that Co-3 is only slightly more stable than the normal IAd isomer, suggesting a role for kinetic control due to steric factors. Stoichiometric treatment of both Co-1 and Co-3 with pinacolborane (HBpin) afforded free N-borylamine but only Co-3 served as an effective carbonyl hydroboration catalyst, showing the important role of a-IAd in stabilizing cobalt throughout the catalytic cycle.