Cobalt-Catalyzed Reductive Cross-Coupling Between Benzyl Chlorides and Aryl Halides

A new protocol for the direct reductive cobalt-catalyzed arylation of benzyl chlorides has been developed in order to form functionalized diarylmethanes. A variety of reactive groups either on the aryl or the benzyl halide was employed. This represents the first cobalt-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling which does not require any ligand and pyridine. A reaction pathway is proposed involving a radical benzyl species.