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Updated: Oct 25, 2026

Palladium N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis from Benzimidazolium Salts and Catalytic Activity in Carbon-carbon Bond-forming Reactions
Published on: July 30, 2017
Cobalt-Catalyzed Azidation of Benzylic C-H Bonds
Peng-Fei Wang1,2,3, Xiang Wang4, Yan-Qing Zeng1
1College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang310032, China.
Abstract:
Direct methods for selective functionalization of C(sp3)-H bonds could greatly streamline the synthesis of complex molecules. However, such transformations remain challenging. Herein, we report a cobalt-catalyzed azidation of benzylic C-H bonds that enables efficient access to benzylic azides. The reaction employs the C-H substrate as the limiting reagent and features broad substrate scope, as well as good functional-group tolerance. The key to success lies in the utilization of a commercially available N,N-ligand and cobalt catalyst. Preliminary mechanistic study indicates that hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) of benzylic C-H bonds affords a benzyl radical that is involved in the reaction process.
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