Iodide-Catalyzed Carbonylation–Benzylation of Benzyl Chlorides with Potassium Aryltrifluoroborates under Ambient Pressure of Carbon Monoxide

Abstract

Tetra-N-butylammonium iodide (TBAI) catalyzed carbonylation–benzylation of unactivated benzyl chlorides with potassium aryltrifluoroborates using CO gas has been developed. This reaction is transition-metal free, is carried out under ambient pressure, and provides a wide range of 1,2,3-triarylpropan-1-one derivatives in high yields. The novel method represents a significant improvement over the traditional palladium-catalyzed carbonylation.

Key words

benzyl chlorides - carbonylation - potassium aryltrifluoro­borates - radicals - synthetic methods

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