Cobalt‐Catalyzed Enantioselective C−H Carbonylation towards Chiral Isoindolinones

Abstract Transition metal‐catalyzed enantioselective C−H carbonylation with carbon monoxide, an essential and easily available C1 feedstock, remains challenging. Here, we disclosed an unprecedented enantioselective C−H carbonylation catalyzed by inexpensive and readily available cobalt(II) salt. The reactions proceed efficiently through desymmetrization, kinetic resolution, and parallel kinetic resolution, affording a broad range of chiral isoindolinones in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 92 % yield and 99 % ee). The synthetic potential of this method was demonstrated by asymmetric synthesis of biological active compounds, such as ( S )‐PD172938 and ( S )‐Pazinaclone. The resulting chiral isoindolinones also serve as chiral ligands in cobalt‐catalyzed enantioselective C−H annulation with alkynes to construct phosphorus stereocenter.