Direct Pd-Catalyzed Acylation of Aryl Bromides with Aldehydes

Significance

Aryl alkyl ketones are among the most important intermediates in chemical industry. The main preparation method, the Friedel-Crafts acylation, is rather limited in substrate scope. The authors disclose herein a simple, efficient and versatile method for the preparation of these compounds starting from aryl and hetero­aryl bromides and aldehydes. The protocol is easy to perform, does not require expensive ligands and allows using highly functionalized substrates.