this invention is directed to alkyl cobalt dioximates and methods for making these dioximates . the alkyl cobalt dioximate has the following structural formula : wherein r 1 , and r 2 are individually selected from the following group : h , alkyl having at least 2 carbon atoms , substituted alkyl , aryl , substituted aryl , coor 5 , conr 6 r 7 , sr 7 , so 2 r 7 , so 2 nr 5 r 6 , sor 5 , so 3 r 5 , halogen , ccl 3 , cf 3 , cor 5 , cho , cr 6 r 7 or 5 , ch , cr 5 ; where r 5 , r 6 , and r 7 are independently selected from the following group : h , alkyl , substituted alkyl , aryl or substituted aryl and a is a substituted alkyl derived from an olefinic component and b is a component of a lewis base and where the substituents of the substituted alkyl are individually selected from the group of ester , ether , amide , halogen , ketone , hydroxy , aryl , so 2 - alkyl , sulfamido , and amino groups and the substituents for the substituted aryl are individually selected from the group of ester , ether , amide , halogen , ketone , hydroxy , alkyl , so 2 - alkyl , sulfamido , and amino groups .