Recent advances in palladium‐catalyzed α‐arylation reactions

The indispensable role of α‐arylated compounds in chemistry can be accounted from its presence in various pharmaceuticals we use in our daily life. Chemists are establishing diverse methods for the synthesis of various α‐arylated compounds by considering their applications in different fields including biology, medicine, agrochemicals, material science, etc. Diverse pharmacologically active compounds, natural products, and drugs contain α‐arylated carbonyl groups in their structure. The impact of transition metal catalysis in chemistry is overwhelming, among which palladium is the predominant due to its high reactivity as well as catalytic potential. α‐Arylation reactions with palladium catalysts have been successful in producing a variety of desired chemicals. The formation of active pharmaceutical ingredients and total synthesis of natural products can now be achieved by the development of novel pathways through the α‐arylation of carbonyl compounds, catalyzed by palladium. Wide variety of simple arylating agents could be used under the condition of palladium catalysis. Syntheses that utilize α‐arylation methods often offer advanced ways that improve overall yields, expand the scope of the synthesis, and reduce the steps. One of the synthetic achievements is the increased selectivity obtained with lower amounts of the catalyst. Gentle reaction conditions were employed, and broad substrate scope was accomplished. Recent advances in the α‐arylation reactions of various compounds, catalyzed by palladium, is discussed in this review covering literature from 2016 to 2022.