Cobalt-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Allylation of Biphenyl Amines with Unbiased Terminal Olefins.

Unactivated olefins usually react poorly in conventional alkenylation reactions. Their introduction via C-H activation is limited to aromatic acids. Herein, we disclose a C-H functionalization protocol of aromatic amines with unactivated olefins, which shows exclusive allylic selectivity for the distal ring of the biphenyl system by exploiting a readily available cobalt(II) catalyst. The allylation proceeds smoothly involving a broad set of unbiased olefins and biaryls, giving access to the functionalization of the biphenyl scaffold.