Synthesis of unsymmetrical ketones by applying visible-light benzophenone/nickel dual catalysis for direct benzylic acylation

Chemical Communications, vol. 56, pp. 6082–6085

Abstract

Herein, we report a dual catalytic system for the direct benzylic C-H acylation reaction furnishing a variety of unsymmetrical ketones. A benzophenone-derived photosensitizer combined with a nickel catalyst has been established as the catalytic system. Both acid chlorides and anhydrides are able to acylate the benzylic position of toluene and other methylbenzenes. The method offers a valuable alternative to late transition metal catalyzed C-H acylation reactions.

Authors 4

1. Patricia E. Krach Aachen Institute of Organic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   52074 Aachen

   Germany

   Institute of Organic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Abhishek Dewanji corresponding Aachen Institute of Organic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   52074 Aachen

   Germany

   Institute of Organic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Tingting Yuan Aachen Institute of Organic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   52074 Aachen

   Germany

   Institute of Organic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Magnus Rueping corresponding Aachen Institute of Organic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University · King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   52074 Aachen

   Germany

   Institute of Organic Chemistry

   KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia