Cobalt-catalyzed C-H arylations with weakly-coordinating amides and tetrazoles: expedient route to angiotensin-II-receptor blockers.

Cobalt-catalyzed C-H arylations enabled the synthesis of biaryl tetrazoles, which are key structural motifs in antihypertensive angiotensin-II-receptor blockers. Thus, weakly-coordinating benzamides were employed for step-economical C-H arylations with ample scope. Further, a low-valent NHC complex enabled first cobalt-catalyzed C-H functionalization by tetrazole assistance.