Co(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/formal SN-type reactions: Selective and efficient cyanation, halogenation, and allylation

Yu,Dagang D.,Gensch,Tobias T.,De Azambuja,Francisco F.,Vásquez-Céspedes,Suhelen S.,Glorius,Frank F.,

Abstract

© 2014 American Chemical Society. The first cobalt-catalyzed cyanation, halogenation, and allylation via C-H activation have been realized. These formal SN-type reactions generate valuable (hetero)aryl/alkenyl nitriles, iodides, and bromides as well as allylated indoles using a bench-stable Co(III) catalyst. High regio- and mono-selectivity were achieved for these reactions. Additionally, allylation proceeded efficiently with a turnover number of 2200 at room temperature, which is unprecedented for this Co(III) catalyst. Alkenyl substrates and amides have been successfully utilized in Cp∗Co(III)-catalyzed C-H activation for the first time.