Cobalt-catalyzed aryl C-H activation and highly regioselective intermolecular annulation of sulfonamides with allenes.

Herein we describe a cobalt-catalyzed C-H activation of aryl and heteroaryl sulfonamides and their intermolecular heteroannulation reaction with allenes, providing a convergent strategy for the synthesis of biologically interesting heterocyclic scaffolds. Carbometallation of allenes proceeds selectively through a Co-alkenyl pathway for a wide range of electron-poor and electron-rich allenes.