Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Benzoyl Formic Acids with Toluenes: Synthesis of 2‐Phenylacetophenones

Abstract Herein, we report a direct method to synthesize 2‐phenylacetophenone through a ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction between acyl and benzyl radical. The various derivatives of 2‐phenylacetophenone were prepared easily in moderate to good yields. These reactions provide a straightforward pathway to synthesize a variety of ketones bearing various functional groups.