Iron-Catalyzed Arylation of Aromatic Ketones and Aldehydes Mediated by Organosilanes

A simple and efficient iron-catalyzed method for arylation of aromatic carbonyl compounds is reported. The use of 4% FeCl3 or Fe(acac)(3) as the catalyst, in combination with a slight excess of chlorotrimethylsilane and triethylsilane, chlorination of benzylic ketones and aldehydes with subsequent Friedel-Crafts alkylation of arenes is achieved. Although the method is limited by the general constraints associated with Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions, robust applications for the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates and so on can be envisioned.