Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed C–C Coupling of Arenes with 7‑Oxabenzonorbornadiene and 2‑Vinyloxirane via C–H Activation

Co­(III)-catalyzed mild C–C couplings of arenes with strained rings such as 7-oxabenzonorbornadienes and 2-vinyloxirane have been realized. The transformation is proposed to undergo ortho C–H activation, olefin insertion, and subsequent β-oxygen elimination. A broad range of synthetically useful functional groups are compatible, thus providing a new entry to access diversely 2-functionalized indoles.