Cobalt-Catalyzed Green Cross-Dehydrogenative C(sp2)-H/P-H Coupling Reactions

Joined electrolysis of arenes (benzene or coumarin derivatives) and diethyl-H-phosphonate (EtO)2P(O)H in the presence of [CoCl2(bpy)] catalyst (5%) in an ethanol-aqueous solution in reductive conditions allows obtaining the desired products in a single step by aromatic C–H bonds phosphonation with yields up to 70%. The only by-product is hydrogen; the reaction proceeds at room temperature and does not require specially added reducing agents and oxidants or other initiators. Radical mechanism has been confirmed for the catalytic reaction proceeding via bicobalt phosphonates with Co–P bond, the structure of which also has been identified.