Olefin Hydroarylation Catalyzed by a Single-Component Cobalt(-I) Complex
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Versatile CO2 Transformations into Complex Products: A One-pot Two-step Strategy
Published on: November 9, 2019
Benjamin A Suslick1,2, T Don Tilley1,2
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.
Abstract:
A single-component Co(-I) catalyst, [(PPh3)3Co(N2)]Li(THF)3, has been developed for olefin hydroarylations with (N-aryl)aryl imine substrates. More than 40 examples were examined under mild reaction conditions to afford the desired alkyl-arene product in good to excellent yields. Catalysis occurs in a regioselective manner to afford exclusively branched products with styrene-derived substrates or linear products for aliphatic olefins. Electron-withdrawing functional groups (e.g., -F, -CF3, and -CO2Me) were tolerated under the reaction conditions.
More Related Videos
05:48Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes
Published on: November 21, 2017
12:08Catalytic Reactions at Amine-Stabilized and Ligand-Free Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Titania During Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Aldehydes
Published on: June 24, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide