Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed Oxadiazole-Directed C-H Activation for the Synthesis of 1-Aminoisoquinolines.

Aromatic heterocycles have been identified as effective directing groups (DGs) in C-H functionalization but can be retained as undesired bulky substituents in the final products. Herein, we report a Co(III)-catalyzed 1-aminoisoquinoline synthesis strategy based on oxadiazole-directed aromatic C-H coupling with alkynes and a subsequent redox-neutral C-N cyclization reaction. This labile N-O bond-based protocol has allowed the toleration of a broad range of functional groups.