Cobalt Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Michael Acceptors with Indolines Directed by a Weakly Coordinating Functional Group.

A cobalt(III) catalyzed hydroarylation of Michael acceptors using indolines, selectively at the C-7 position, has been reported. For the selective C-7 functionalization of indoline, we have used a weakly coordinating amide carbonyl group. During the process of optimization, we have also discovered the unusual cocatalytic activity of zinc triflate in the C-H functionalization reaction. Hydroarylation of unprotected maleimide using indolines was a challenging substrate and never accomplished before, we were able to achieve this with our methodology in good yields.