To realize the goal of a carbon-free energy economy, it is crucial to discover reactions that utilizes sustainable resources as an alternatives to fossil feedstocks. In this study, a well-defined, air-stable Cp*Co(III)-catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of quinolines derivatives and oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclic amines in water is developed. While the former reaction is promoted by formic acid as transfer hydrogenating reagent, the latter is mediated by molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant. These processes provide new avenues for the investigation of air-stable cobalt catalysts for environmentally benign hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions.