A Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Radical Negishi C(sp³)–C(sp²) Cross-Coupling with Chiral Multidentate <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>,<i>P</i>-Ligand

Abstract

A cobalt-catalyzed enantioconvergent radical Negishi C(sp3)–C(sp2) cross-coupling of racemic benzyl chlorides with arylzinc reagents has been developed in good yield with moderate enantioselectivities. This strategy provides an expedient access toward a range of enantioenriched 1,1-diarylmethanes. Key to this discovery is the utilization of a chiral multidentate anionic N,N,P-ligand to strongly coordinate with the cobalt catalyst and tune its chiral environment, thus achieving the enantiocontrol over the highly reactive prochiral alkyl radical species.