Expedient cobalt-catalyzed stereospecific cascade C–N and C–O bond formation of styrene oxides with hydrazones

Abstract

Cobalt-catalyzed cascade C–N and C–O bond formation of epoxides with hydrazones is described to furnish oxadiazines using air as an oxidant. The catalyst plays a dual role as a Lewis acid followed by a redox catalyst to accomplish the C–H/O–H cyclization. Optically active styrene oxide can be reacted enantiospecifically (>99% ee).