Amidines for Versatile Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Isoquinolines through C-H Functionalization with Diazo Compounds.

A cobalt(III)-catalyzed C-H/N-H bond functionalization for the synthesis of 1-aminoisoquinolines from aryl amidines and diazo compounds has been developed. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions, obviates the need for oxidants, produces only N2 and H2O as the byproducts, and features a broad substrate scope.