Transition-Metal-Free Intermolecular α-Arylation of Ketones via Enolonium Species

Herein it is shown, for the first time, that enolonium species are powerful electrophiles capable of reacting with aromatic compounds in an intermolecular manner to afford α-arylated ketones. The reaction is compatible with a variety of functional groups, is of wide scope with respect to aromatic compounds and ketone, and even works for polymerization-prone substrates such as substituted pyrroles, thiophenes, and furans. Only 1.6 to 5 equiv of the commodity aromatic substrates is needed.