The kinetics of formation and dissociation of the binuclear complex of Co H with histidinato(pentaammine)Co nI have been studied at 10.0~176176 and I = 0.3 mol dm-3 (C104)" The formation of the binuclear complex, [(NH3)sCoIIILCoU] 4+ (L = histidinate), in the 5.7-6.8pH range involves the reaction of Co(OH2) 2+ with the deprotonated, (NH3)sCoL 2+, and monoprotonated, (NH3)sCoLH 3 +, forms of the complex. The rate and activation parameters for the formation are consistent with an I a mechanism. The binuclear species undergoes dissociation to yield the parent Co m substrate and Co(OH2) 2+ via spontaneous and acid-catalysed paths. Comparison of spontaneous dissociation rate of the binuclear complex with other related systems indicated the chelate nature of the binuclear species.