Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides

Cobalt-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions are an indispensable class of reactions in organic synthesis. This economical and ecologically attractive catalyst could replace, in some cases, the well-etablished, expensive palladium and toxic nickel catalytic systems that have dominated the field for many years. Cobalt-catalyzed protocols tolerate various functional groups and present a wide range of reactivity. Moreover, these efficient reactions are very easy to carry out without complex ligands under varied conditions. This review intends to shed light on the fact that cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions offer an excellent alternative to the usual catalysts. Moreover, these methodologies are sometimes superior, especially for reactions involving alkyl halides.