Cobalt-Catalyzed Migrational Isomerization of Styrenes

An efficient cobalt-catalyzed migrational isomerization of styrenes was developed using the thiazoline iminopyridine (TIP) ligand. This reaction is operationally simple and atom-economical using readily available starting materials to access trisubstituted alkenes. Even when using a 0.1 mol % catalyst loading, the reaction could be conducted in neat and completed in 1 h with excellent conversion and high E stereoselectivity.