C–H bond activations by the HO˙/(Salophent-Bu)Co(ii) radical pair generated via homolysis of a terminal Co(iii)–OH bond

Abstract

The reactive HO˙/(Salophen^t-Bu)Co(II) radical pair was observed to be generated via homolysis of the terminal Co(III)–OH bond in transient (Salophen^t-Bu)(L)Co(III)(OH) (L = Py, MeOH) complexes as indicated by UV-Vis and EPR measurements. Based on this elementary process, C–H bond activations in acetone, 2-butanone, acetonitrile and benzene were achieved under ambient conditions. For the reactions of the first three substrates, the alkylcobalt(III) complexes were formed as the products.