Synthesis of unsymmetrical benzils via palladium-catalysed α-arylation-oxidation of 2-hydroxyacetophenones with aryl bromides

A diverse set of unsymmetrically substituted benzils were facilely synthesised by a cross-coupling reaction between 2-hydroxyacetophenones and aryl bromides in the presence of a palladium catalyst. Experimental studies suggested a reaction mechanism involving a one-pot tandem palladium-catalysed alpha -arylation and oxidation, where aryl bromides play a dual role as mild oxidants as well as arylating agents.