Efficient cobalt-catalyzed formation of unsymmetrical biaryl compounds and its application in the synthesis of a sartan intermediate

(Chemical Equation Presented) No prior preparation of the organometallic reagent is required in a cobalt-catalyzed coupling of two different aryl halides under mild conditions (see scheme). A broad spectrum of valuable biaryl compounds can be prepared in this way. Not only may a variety of reactive substituents be present, but heteroaryl halides and aryl triflates are also suitable substrates. DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide, FG = functional group.