Cobalt-catalyzed divergent functionalization of N-sulfonyl amines via β-carbon elimination

This article demonstrates a catalytic method for C(aryl)–C(alkyl) bond functionalization of N-sulfonyl amines. A cobalt(III)catalyst was used to cleave the C–C bond via β-carbon elimination, providing a metallacycle intermediate. Subsequent allylation,amidation, or alkenylation of the intermediate led to divergent conversions in the presence of diverse coupling partners. when the coupling partner was a diene, an insertion-type functionalization was realized with an exclusive 1,3-regioselectivity, in which both of the fragments derived from N-sulfonyl amines were utilized.