Photoinduced Cobalt-Catalyzed Carbonyl Umpolung Alkenylation

Org Lett. 2025 May 23;27(20):5194-5199. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.5c01364. Epub 2025 May 15.

Abstract

Herein we introduce a cobalt-catalyzed umpolung strategy for radical carbonyl alkenylation. This method provides an alternative pathway for producing Grignard-type products from (hetero)aryl vinyl bromides and aliphatic aldehydes without pre-functionalization. The method is distinguished by its broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, and simple catalytic system. Upon specific activation of the carbonyl group with AcI, a cobaloxime complex catalyst facilitates the selective reduction of the resulting α-oxy iodide through an atom transfer process.