Cobalt-catalyzed alkylation of methyl-substituted N-heteroarenes with primary alcohols: direct access to functionalized N-heteroaromatics.

Phosphine free, air and moisture stable Co(NNN) complex catalyzed alkylation of various methyl-substituted N-heteroarenes with alcohols is reported. Following the borrowing hydrogen methodology, a variety of methyl-substituted N-heteroarenes can be functionalized efficiently. To understand the mechanism of this reaction various kinetic and control experiments were carried out.