Abstract
Heterobimetallic base NaCo(HMDS)(3) [HMDS = N(SiMe(3))(2)] enables regioselective di-cobaltation of activated polyfluoroarenes under mild reaction conditions. For 1,3,5-C(6)H(2)X(3) (X= Cl, F), NaCo(HMDS)(3) in excess at 80 °C impressively induces the collective cleavage of five bonds (two C-H and three C-X) of the substrates via a cascade activation process that cannot be replicated by LiCo(HMDS)(3) or KCo(HMDS)(3).