A Cobalt‐Catalyzed Sulfonate/Copper Exchange for the Preparation of Highly Functionalized Electron‐Deficient Aryl Copper Reagents

Organocopper reagents from phenols: A new cobalt-catalyzed aryl sulfonate/copper exchange reaction allows the synthesis of highly functionalized aryl copper reagents from sulfonates bearing electron-deficient substituents under mild conditions (25–45 °C, 1–6 h; see example). Sensitive functional groups, such as aldehydes, esters, and nitriles, are well-tolerated.