α-Arylation of (hetero)aryl ketones in aqueous surfactant media

Abstract

α-Arylation reactions can be performed in water, enabled by a designer surfactant,under mild conditions and in the absence of organic co-solvents. A multitude of aryl and heteroaryl ketones are amenable to coupling with functionalized aryl halides. Use of a lipophilic base that can gain entry to the micellar inner cores mediates enolization. In some cases, palladium loadings as low as 2500 ppm (0.25 mol%) are sufficient for coupling in a completely recyclable medium, exemplifying chemistry in water.