Selective Construction of 1,1-Disubstituted Cyclopropyl Ketones, 2-Arylacetophenones, and 2-Aryl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-ones via Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Cyclopropyl Aryl Ketones with Aryl Bromides.

Herein, we report a straightforward method for synthesizing 1,1-disubstituted cyclopropyl ketones via a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of cyclopropyl(phenyl)methanone with aryl bromides. This method provides robust access to highly valuable cyclopropane scaffolds. Furthermore, by simply modulating the solvent, base, and temperature, the protocol enables a one-pot, selective process involving C-C bond cleavage and ring-opening or aromatic recyclization. This strategy facilitates the divergent synthesis of either 2-arylacetophenones or 2-aryl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-ones from a common intermediate.