Activation of 1-halonaphthalenes by electrogenerated [CoI-salen]−

We report in this paper an electroanalytical study of the reaction of 1-halonaphthalenes with electrogenerated [CoI-salen]. With 1-iodonaphthalene, the reaction observed is a substitution, with a release of the iodide ion. Conversely, the reaction is much slower with 1-bromonaphthalene, and the intermediate adduct is observed at the time scale of cyclic voltammetry. The corresponding rate constants have been determined.