Heterobimetallic base NaCo(HMDS)3 [HMDS = N(SiMe3)2] enables regioselective di-cobaltation of activated polyfluoroarenes under mild reaction conditions. For 1,3,5-C6H2X3 (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.
