From Alkyl Halides to Ketones: Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Carbonylation Utilizing Ethyl Chloroformate as the Carbonyl Source.

Ketones are an important class of molecules in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Rapid and modular synthesis of ketones remains in high demand. Described here is a nickel-catalyzed three-component reductive carbonylation method for the synthesis of dialkyl ketones. A wide range of both symmetric and asymmetric dialkyl ketones can be accessed from alkyl halides and a safe CO source, ethyl chloroformate. The approach offers complementary substrate scope to existing carbonylation methods while avoiding the use of either toxic CO or metal carbonyl reagents.