Palladium-catalyzed direct α-arylation of α-fluoroketones: A straightforward route to α-fluoro-α-arylketones

The palladium-catalyzed direct α-arylation of both open-chain and cyclic α-fluoroketones by using P(o-tolyl)3 or RuPhos as ligand and K3PO4·3H2O as mild base has been developed. This method allows a variety of quaternary α-aryl-α-fluoroketones to be easily prepared.

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► The palladium-catalyzed direct α-arylation of α-fluoroketones has been developed by using P(o-tolyl)3 or RuPhos as ligand and K3PO4·3H2O as mild base.
► A variety of quaternary α-aryl-α-fluoroketones were prepared in moderate to excellent yields by this method with broad substrate scope.
► This method provides a practical and straightforward route to afford α-aryl-α-fluorocarbonyl compounds which was difficult to be prepared in one step by traditional methods.