Cobalt-catalyzed directed alkylation of arenes with primary and secondary alkyl halides

A cobalt-N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst allows ortho-alkylation of aromatic imines with unactivated primary and secondary alkyl chlorides and bromides under room-temperature conditions. The scope of the reaction encompasses or complements that of cobalt-catalyzed ortho-alkylation reactions with olefins as alkylating agents that we developed previously. Stereochemical outcomes of secondary alkylation reactions suggest that the reaction involves single-electron transfer from a cobalt species to the alkyl halide to generate the corresponding alkyl radical. A cycloalkylated product obtained by this method can be transformed into unique spirocycles through manipulation of the directing group and the cycloalkyl groups.