Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of arylzinc reagents with ethyl bromodifluoroacetate

Transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of arylmetal reagents with ethyl bromodifluoroacetate have been explored. After intensive investigations, we have successfully found that a cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction (catalytic alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation) of arylzinc reagents with ethyl bromodifluoroacetate smoothly proceeded to afford the corresponding ethyl aryldifluoroacetates in moderate to good yields.