Transition-metal-catalyzed α-arylations of carbonyl compounds have shown to be a useful strategy for the late-stage synthesis of α-arylesters. However, the use of strong basic conditions and difficult handling necessary for the in-situ preparation of enolates is a major disadvantage. On the other hand, using Reformatsky zinc-enolates can overcome these challenges. Moreover, mechanochemical in-situ activation of zinc is even more beneficial. Herein, we report mechanochemical Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling between in-situ generated Reformatsky Zn-enolates and aryl halides. This operationally simple procedure affords α-arylated esters or amides using an affordable catalytic system. Reactions were carried under air and ambient conditions using granulated zinc without the need for its pre-activation. Less reactive and commercially more affordable aryl bromides afforded the desired products in good to excellent yields in comparison to aryl iodides. The optimized conditions were applied in scale-up reaction and in the synthesis of α-arylated esters, amides, and derivatives of natural products.
In the research article by Elena Graziano, Philipp Natho, Michael Andresini, Fabrizio Mastrolorito, Iktedar Mahdi, Ernesto Mesto, Marco Colella, Leonardo Degennaro, Orazio Nicolotti, and Renzo Luisi, in Issue 18, 2024, pp. 3894–3902 (DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202400781), the acknowledgement section should have included mention of additional financial support. R.L., L.D., M.A. acknowledge financial support from the European Commission – Horizon Europe Framework, project SusPharma grant agreement No 101057430. I.M. acknowledges funding from the European Commission′s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral network “GreenDigiPharma” (grant agreement No 101073089). The authors apologize for this oversight