Mild and metal-free direct α-arylation of ketones has long been a challenging transformation. Now, a metal-free photoredox approach has been developed using electron-rich acridinium ions to photoactivate C(sp2)–X bonds under low-energy green light and to catalyse the α-arylation of cyclic ketones. This approach is a multigram and sustainable methodology for the synthesis of pharmaceutical synthons.
- Md Mubarak Hossain
- Aslam C. Shaikh
- Thomas L. Gianetti
