Synthesis of Diarylmethanes by Cobalt-Catalyzed Reductive Cross-Coupling via Csp³–S Bond Activation

Dedication

Dedicated to Professor Paul Knochel on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

Abstract

Various diarylmethane derivatives were synthesized by cobalt-catalyzed cross-electrophilic coupling of benzylsulfonium salts with various aryl bromides in moderate to good yields. This simple protocol exhibited good tolerance for various functional groups. We demonstrated that low-valent cobalt was able to activate both aryl halides and C–S bonds from stable benzyl sulfonium salts, readily available from alcohols. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested the involvement of benzyl radicals generated from C–S bond cleavage through a single electron transfer.

Keywords

Cross-coupling - Cobalt - Sulfonium salt - Diarylmethane - Benzyl radical

Publication History

Received: 28 March 2025

Accepted after revision: 29 April 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
29 April 2025

Article published online:
07 August 2025

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