Cobalt-catalyzed regioselective hydroazidation of 1-aryl-1,3-dienes: facile access to allylic azides

A new cobalt-catalyzed hydroazidation of 1-aryl-1,3-dienes by using TMSN3 as a nucleophilic azide source under mild conditions has been reported, leading to the synthesis of a wide range of allylic azides with moderate to good yields. This oxidative MHAT hydroazidation achieved excellent regioselectivity towards 1,2-addition products through an S(N)2-like pathway between in situ generated allyl cobalt(iv) species and TMSN3.