Cobalt(iii)-catalyzed ketone-directed C–H vinylation using vinyl acetate

Abstract

Weakly coordinating, ketone-directed C–H vinylation using vinyl acetate is reported here for a wide range of aromatic ketones such as acetophenones, diaryl ketones, chromones and biologically relevant chalcones under cost-effective and air-stable cobalt(III)-catalysis. Regioselective, mono-vinylation occurs for challenging vinyl substitution-free styrenes in moderate to good yields, and this moiety has been used to synthesize functionalized indanone, α-naphthol and an advanced intermediate for bruguierol A synthesis. An acrylate-surrogate provided the corresponding alkenylated product under these vinylation conditions. Detailed mechanistic studies are carried out to support the proposed catalytic cycle.