Cobalt-Catalyzed C–H Bond Functionalization: a Personal Account

Abstract The development of green and sustainable synthetic methods is of great interest worldwide. Today the direct activation and functionalization of relatively inert C–H bonds is one of the top fields in organic chemistry, and this strategy already represents a sustainable and more environmentally friendly approach due to its atom and step economy compared to alternative C–C and C–Het bond-forming processes. Much progress has been made in developing C–H bond functionalization methods using noble-metal catalysts. Cobalt has recently emerged as an attractive alternative because it is less toxic, cheaper, and more abundant than noble metals. This Account summarizes the cobalt-catalyzed C–H bond-functionalization methods that have been developed during the corresponding author’s research career. 1 Introduction and Background 2 C–H Bond Functionalization of 8-Aminoquinoline Benzamides 3 Mechanistic Investigations of Cobalt-Catalyzed, Aminoquinoline-Directed C–H Bond Functionalization of Benzamides 4 C(sp2)–H Bond Functionalization of 8-Aminoquinoline Phosphinamides 5 C(sp2)–H Bond Carbonylation of 8-Aminoquinoline Sulfonamides 6 C(sp2)–H Bond Functionalization of Benzoic Acids 7 C(sp2)–H Bond Functionalization of Phenylglycine Derivatives 8 C(sp2)–H Bond Functionalization of Phenylalanine Derivatives 9 Conclusion