Iron‐Catalyzed Arylation of Aromatic Ketones and Aldehydes Mediated by Organosilanes

A simple and efficient iron‐catalyzed method for arylation of aromatic carbonyl compounds is reported. The use of 4 % FeCl 3 or Fe(acac) 3 as the catalyst, in combination with a slight excess of chlorotrimethylsilane and triethylsilane, chlorination of benzylic ketones and aldehydes with subsequent Friedel–Crafts alkylation of arenes is achieved. Although the method is limited by the general constraints associated with Friedel–Crafts alkylation reactions, robust applications for the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates and so on can be envisioned.