Ketones from α-Oxocarboxylates by Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling

Significance

Aryl ketones are important intermediates and structural motifs in biologically active compounds and modern materials. Herein, the Goossen group described a new synthesis of aryl ketones, based on the formation and subsequent Pd-catalyzed coupling of acylcopper species from α-oxocarboxylates. This decarboxylative cross-coupling method may give a valuable alternative to the known procedures employing organo­metallic compounds. A wide range of functional groups including esters, ketones, and nitriles are tolerated.