Amine-Functionalized Cobalt-NHC Catalysis for the Adaptive Synthesis of Versatile Anthranilates

Abstract

Anthranilates are important feedstocks, widely utilized in the synthesis of flavouring agents, fragrances, and pharmaceutical compounds. Herein, we report an adaptive strategy for the synthesis of structurally diverse anthranilate derivatives, enabled by an NH₂-functionalized cobalt-NHC complex from oxindole and alcohols using atmospheric O2 as the sole oxidant at RT in open air conditions. Notably, the method accommodates a wide variety of substrates, including aliphatic, benzylic, and aromatic alcohols with high functional group tolerance, without the need of any additive and mechanistic studies established the reaction pathway.