Cooperative Co(III)/Cu(II)-Catalyzed C–N/N–N Coupling of Imidates with Anthranils: Access to 1H-Indazoles via C–H Activation

Cooperative cobalt- and copper-catalyzed C–H activation of imidate esters and oxidative coupling with anthranils allowed efficient synthesis of 1H-indazoles in the absence of metal oxidants. The anthranil acts as a convenient aminating reagent as well as an organic oxidant in this transformation. The copper catalyst likely functions at the stage of N–N formation.