Cobalt-catalyzed Wagner–Meerwein rearrangements with concomitant nucleophilic hydrofluorination

Abstract

We report a cobalt-catalyzed Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of gem-disubstituted allylarenes that generates fluoroalkane products with isolated yields up to 84%. Modification of the counteranion of the N-fluoropyridinium oxidant suggests the substrates undergo nucleophilic fluorination during the reaction. Subjecting the substrates to other known metal-mediated hydrofluorination procedures did not lead to observable 1,2-aryl migration. Thus, indicating the unique ability of these cobalt-catalyzed conditions to generate a sufficiently reactive electrophilic intermediate capable of promoting this Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement.