Cobalt-Catalyzed Direct C(sp²)–H Alkylation with Unactivated Alkenes

A facile and efficient method for Cp*Co^III-catalyzed C(sp²)–H bond alkylation was developed using 2-aryl pyridines and unactivated alkenes. The reaction proceeded atom-economically with readily available styrene derivatives and an abundant cobalt catalyst. This reaction tolerates a broad range of functional groups, directing groups, styrenes and affords mono-diarylethane products with high linear selectivity. To demonstrate the synthetic utility and the potential application in organic synthesis, a gram-scale reaction and further C–H bond functionalizations of the mono-alkylated product were performed.