Five-coordinate bis(benzeneseleninato)tris(ethylenediamine) cobalt (II)complexes are obtained by reaction of Co(H2O)2 (XC6 H4 SeO2)2 complexes (X = H, p-Cl, m-CI, p-Br, ni-Br, p-Me,p-NO2) with ethylenediamine. The diaquo complexes (one mole)react with ethylenediamine (three moles)to form O-seleninato derivatives. Spectral and magnetic properties show that the complexes are low-spin (s = 1/2) and,on the basis of the electronic spectra a distorted trigonal geometry,D 3h , is suggested. Assignments for the electronic spectra are proposed. Conductivity data indicate that these derivatives are nonelectrolytes. Both ethylenediamine and [RSeO2 ]– behave as monodentate ligands.