Co-catalyzed arylation of aldehydes and aryltrimethylgermanes.

A novel cobalt-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of carbinol derivatives and benzil derivatives has been developed. In the presence of CoI 2 as the catalyst and tmphen (3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) as the ligand, the corresponding arylated products were obtained from the addition of aryltrimethylgermanes to aromatic aldehydes and arylglyoxals in moderate to excellent yields under air atmosphere.