Cobaloxime Catalysis: A General Platform for Mizoroki–Heck-Type Reactions and Catalytic Dehydrohalogenations of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides

Unactivated alkyl chlorides are attractive substrates for chemical synthesis that remain underutilized in many fundamental metal-catalyzed transformations owing to their relative stability compared to alkyl bromides and iodides. Herein, we report the surprising ability of a readily accessible, simple cobaloxime to catalyze visible-light-promoted Mizoroki-Heck-type reactions and catalytic dehydrohalogenations of unactivated alkyl chlorides. These air- and water-tolerant reactions proceed efficiently with a range of unactivated alkyl chlorides under mild conditions with excellent functional group compatibility. Our studies highlight the critical role of the electrolyte in facilitating this new reaction manifold of cobaloxime catalysis.