Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed C-C Coupling of Arenes with 7-Oxabenzonorbornadiene and 2-Vinyloxirane via C-H Activation

Co(III)-catalyzed mild C-C couplings of arenes with strained rings such as 7-oxabenzonorbomadienes and 2-vinyloxirane have been realized. The transformation is proposed to undergo ortho C-H activation, olefin insertion, and subsequent beta-oxygen elimination. A broad range of synthetically useful functional groups are compatible, thus providing a new entry to access diversely 2-functionalized indoles.