Cobalt-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of the allylic C(sp3)-H bond of simple alkenes to ketones.

We herein describe a cobalt/Xantphos-catalyzed regioselective addition of simple alkenes to acetophenone derivatives, affording branched homoallylic alcohols in high yields with perfect branch selectivities. The intermediate of the reaction would be a nucleophilic allylcobalt(I) species generated via cleavage of the low reactive allylic C(sp3)-H bond of simple terminal alkenes.