The cobalt-catalysed Diels-Alder reaction allowed us to generate site-specific deuterated dihydroaromatic compounds. The transfer-hydrogenation initiated by Lewis acids, such as BF₃ or InBr₃ led to the regiospecific HD or DH transfer to alkenes.

Some time ago, we identified a cobalt catalyst for the isomerisation of terminal carbon-carbon double bonds of a 1,3-diene to yield 2Z,4E-configured dienes selectively. This reaction was applied for the synthesis of the (O-protected) allergic component of poison ivy.

After two decades of research in the area of cobalt-catalysed transformations, we have left the field.

The quantification of Lewis acidities was an interesting side field that we have left as well.