N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Aromatic Aldehydes with Activated Alkyl Halides

N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed umpolung of aldehydes followed by their interception with diarylbromomethanes has been reported. This conceptually novel transition-metal-free cross-coupling of aldehydes with alkyl halides works well at low catalyst loadings and under mild reaction conditions leading to the formation of diaryl acetophenone derivatives in good yields. In addition, a-halo ketones and esters can also be used, as aldehyde reaction partners.