Photoredox α-Arylation of cyclic ketones

The direct α-arylation of unactivated carbonyl compounds using aryl halides represents a powerful method to synthesize criti-cal building blocks for diverse useful compounds. Numerous synthetic methods exist to forge C(sp2)-C(sp3) bonds, albeit metal free direct α-arylation of unactivated cyclic ketones has long been an elusive transformation. Herein, we report a green-light-mediated α-arylation of unactivated ketones from readily available aryl halides via activation of a C(sp2)-X bond (X=I, Br, Cl) and an α-carbonyl C(sp3)-H bond in a single photocatalytic cycle. This approach is characterized by its mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, and wide functional group tolerance. Importantly, the impressive outcome from multi-gram photocatalytic reaction underpins the strength of this method as a potentially practical and attractive approach for scale-up industrial purposes. The utility and scope of this reaction were further demonstrated by new syntheses of several feedstock chemicals that are commercially expensive but critical for synthesizing numerous pharmaceutical agents.