Palladium-catalyzed α-ketone arylation under mild conditions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201001428

The α-arylation of ketones with aryl halides catalyzed by the easily prepared and air-stable palladium complex (SIPr)Pd(Py)Cl₂ (3) is described. Complex 3 displays high activity for a variety of aryl halides (activated, unactivated, and sterically hindered aryl halides) under mild conditions. Moreover, both aryl and alkyl ketones can be arylated. The α-arylation of some alkyl ketones can even be run at room temperature. The mono- or diarylated products of the unhindered dialkyl ketone 3-pentanone could be controlled by temperature and the ratio of ketones to aryl halides. Palladium-catalyzed α-ketone arylation of aryl and alkyl ketones with aryl halides is described. A total of 31 examples is presented with yields ranging from 45 to 95%.The mono- or diarylated product of the unhindered dialkyl ketone 3-pentanone could be controlled. Copyright