Cobalt(II)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Sulfonyl Guanidines via Nitrene Radical Coupling with Isonitriles: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

A Co(II)-catalyzed synthesis of sulfonyl guanidines by using amines, isonitriles, and organic azides as nitrene sources has been developed. This protocol provides an environmentally friendly and simple strategy for the synthesis of sulfonyl guanidine derivatives by employing a range of substrates and will find potential applications in organic synthesis. The computational and EPR studies suggested the formation of guanidine derivatives via a cobalt nitrene radical intermediate.