Palladium-Catalyzed Mono-α-arylation of Carbonyl-Containing Compounds with Aryl Halides using DalPhos Ligands

We report the extension and optimization of the [Pd(cinnamyl)Cl]2/DalPhos catalyst system, previously found effective for the mono-a-arylation of acetone, to the mono-a-arylation of a variety of carbonyl-containing compounds with aryl halides and heteroaryl halides. Aryl methyl ketones, heteroaryl methyl ketones, propiophenones, malonates, and methoxyacetone can be a-arylated under relatively mild conditions and in good yields. We also report the limitations of the ligand/catalyst system towards other classes of carbonyl-containing compounds.