Aromatization as an Impetus to Harness Ketones for Metallaphotoredox-Catalyzed Benzoylation/Benzylation of (Hetero)arenes

Herein
we report ketones as feedstock materials in radical cross-coupling
reactions under Ni/photoredox dual catalysis. In this approach, simple
condensation first converts ketones into prearomatic intermediates
that then act as activated radical sources for cross-coupling with
aryl halides. Our strategy enables the direct benzylation/benzoylation
of (hetero)­arenes under mild reaction conditions with high functional
group tolerance.