Reactivities of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents, 2. Selective n-alkyl transfer in tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed acylation of n-alkyl phenylzincs; an atom economic synthesis of n-alkyl aryl ketones

Tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed acylation of mixed n-alkyl phenylzincs with aromatic acyl halides in THF is efficient in selective transfer of n-alkyl groups to produce n-alkyl aryl ketones in good yields. This route provides an atom economic organocatalyzed alternative to transition metal-catalyzed acylation of di-n-alkylzincs.