Cobalt(I)-Catalyzed Borylation of Unactivated Alkyl Bromides and Chlorides

A cobalt-complex-catalyzed borylation of a wide range of alkyl halides with a diboron reagent (B2pin2 or B2neop2) has been developed under mild reaction conditions, demonstrating the first cobalt-mediated cross-coupling with alkyl electrophiles. This protocol allows alkyl boronic esters to be accessed from alkyl halides, including alkyl chlorides, which were used rarely as coupling partners. Mechanistic studies reveal the possible involvement of an alkyl radical intermediate in this cobalt-mediated catalytic cycle.