Pd-catalyzed synthesis of α-aryl ketones through couplings of α-arylacetyl chlorides with triarylbismuths as multi-coupling nucleophiles

The cross-coupling reaction of α-arylacetyl chlorides with triarylbismuths was studied under Pd-catalyzed conditions. The reaction was found to be facile under the established protocol and furnished high yields of α-aryl ketones in short reaction times. This work also demonstrated a facile synthesis of various regio-isomeric mono-, di- and tri-substituted α-aryl ketones in high yields. Triarylbismuths were employed as sub-stoichiometric multi-coupling organometallic nucleophiles in this coupling protocol.