A cobalt-catalyzed C−H carbonylation of naphthylamides for the synthesis of benzo[cd]indol-2(1H)-one scaffolds has been developed. The reaction employs a traceless directing group and uses benzene-1,3,5-triyl triormate as the CO source, affording various free (NH)-benzo[cd]indol-2(1H)-ones in moderate to high yields (up to 88%). Using this protocol, the total synthesis of BET bromodomain inhibitors A and B was accomplished as well.

A palladium-catalyzed C–H carbonylation of benzylamines for the synthesis of isoindolinone scaffolds has been developed. This protocol is conducted under gas-free conditions by using benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate (TFBen) as a convenient CO surrogate, furnishing a variety of isoindolinone derivatives in moderate to high yields (up to 95%).

A direct, palladium-catalyzed, carbonylative transformation of allylic alcohols for the synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids has been developed. With formic acid as the CO source, various allylic alcohols were conveniently transformed into the corresponding β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids with excellent linear and (E)-selectivity. The reaction was performed under mild conditions; toxic CO gas manipulation and high-pressure equipment were avoided in this procedure.

A cobalt-catalyzed direct carbonylative synthesis of phthalimide motifs from N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)­benzamides has been developed. Various phthalimide derivatives were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (up to 98%) by using 2-picolylamine as an efficient directing group and benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate (TFBen) as a convenient CO surrogate.

A convenient and efficient palladium‐catalyzed reductive carbonylation of aryl and heteroaryl bromides has been developed. With formic acid as the CO source and sodium formate or formic acid as the hydrogen donor, various aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes were produced in good to excellent yields (53–94 %) under gas‐free conditions.