Cobalt-catalyzed directed : ortho-methylation of arenes with methyl tosylate

• Main Authors: Sun, Qiao, Yoshikai, Naohiko
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Science::Chemistry; Methyl Tosylate; Ortho-methylation
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/139028
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

A cobalt-catalyzed directed ortho C-H methylation reaction of arenes has been achieved using readily available methyl tosylate as a methylating agent. An in situ-generated cobalt-N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst in combination with neopentylmagnesium bromide promotes the methylation at room temperature. The reaction is applicable to various substrates bearing nitrogen directing groups such as N-aryl imine, N-H imine, and 2-pyridyl groups. The present protocol also allows for facile introduction of a trideuteriomethyl group into arenes.