LAUSR

Cobalt-catalyzed regioselective three-component arylcarboxylation of acrylate with aryl bromides and carbon dioxide (CO2) has been developed. The reaction is carried out using cobalt chloride as a pre-catalyst and zinc powder as a reducing reagent under CO2 (1 atm) at 40 °C. A range of aryl bromides were conducted for this reaction, leading to a series of valuable carboxylic acids with high regioselectivity and functional group compatibility. Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations indicate this arylcarboxylation reaction involves the reaction of CO2 with cobalt enolate intermediate to form C-C bond.