Imidate as the Intact Directing Group for the Cobalt-Catalyzed C-H Allylation

Cobalt-catalyzed C-H allylation reactions of NH-free benzimidate using vinylcyclopropanes or allyl carbonate are reported. The reactive and relatively unstable imidate groups remain intact during the C-H allylations to afford functionalized imidates without dealcoholizations. The thus obtained allylated imidate was subsequently converted into other heterocyclic structures through a following C-H functionalization reaction, demonstrating the synthetic utility of this method.