Palladium-catalyzed difluorocarbene transfer synthesis of diaryl ketones from iodoarene and arylboronic acid†

Herein, we disclose a novel carbonylative Suzuki–Miyaura reaction for the synthesis of diaryl ketones via palladium-catalyzed difluorocarbene transfer. BrCF₂CO₂Et was employed as a safe and effective carbonyl surrogate. CO was readily in situ generated from the reaction of H₂O with intermediate Pd^IICF₂. The current protocol offers a pragmatic and efficient approach for the synthesis of a series of diaryl ketones with yields of up to 97%. The broad substrate scope and further synthetic applications in drugs and functional compounds indicate that this carbonylative reaction is a highly appealing strategy.