The NHCs-mediated cross-coupling of aromatic aldehydes with benzyl halides: synthesis of α-aryl ketones

A new NHCs-mediated synthetic method was found to produce α-aryl ketones in 22–63% yields in one-pot process from the corresponding aromatic aldehydes and benzyl halides. This method is the first example of the NHCs-mediated intermolecular nucleophilic acylation of aromatic aldehydes with benzyl halides.