Research

Direct functionalization of inert C-H bonds into the C-functional groups is most straightforward and attractive methods in terms of step and atom-economy. Although, C-H bonds are inert, there are several metal-catalyzed strategies have been developed over the last decades for both directed and non-directed C-H bond functionalizations. However, due to unique reactivity and higher abundance, 3d-metals were in the forefront over the last few years.  Among them, high-valent cobalt were utilized for C-H bond functionalization using both Cp*Co(III) and simple cobalt (II) salts, while the former utilized mono-dentate directing group and latter exploited using bi-dentate directing groups. Although research on this field is still ever-growing and very much contemporary asymmetric version of the same with cobalt catalyst is at its early stage and only handful examples are known in the literature. In this regard, I began my doctoral thesis to develop chiral ligands and cobalt complexes for asymmetric C-H bond functionalizations to achieve regio- and enantioselective functional molecules and materials for wide applications