C-H Alkylations of (Hetero)Arenes by Maleimides and Maleate Esters through Cobalt(III) Catalysis

Efficient cobalt(III)-catalyzed (hetero)aryl and alkenyl C-H hydroarylations of maleimides and maleate esters have been achieved under remarkably mild reaction conditions. Thus, the versatile cobalt(III) catalyst [Cp*CoI2(CO)] showed excellent atom-and step-economy as well as high chemo- and site-selectivity providing expedient access to pharmacologically useful succinimides with wide functional group tolerance.