New synthetic reactions catalyzed by cobalt complexes

Abstract

Without suffering from β-elimination, cobalt complexes allow cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with Grignard reagents. A combination of a cobalt complex and trimethylsilylmethyl Grignard reagent effects Mizoroki-Heck-type reaction of alkyl halide with styrene, which conventional palladium catalysts have never made possible. Cobalt exhibits intriguing catalytic activities on hydrophosphination and allylzincation of alkynes. Silylmethylcobalt reagent is a powerful tool for the synthesis of highly silylated ethenes. © 2006 IUPAC.