Air‐Oxidative Synthesis of Diaryl Ketones From Aryl Acetonitrile and Aryl Halides via Single‐Electron Transfer

Under base‐mediated conditions, the synthesis of diaryl ketones is accomplished through a one‐pot, two‐step process that utilizes aryl halides and aryl acetonitriles as substrates. This method finds application in the synthesis of aryl iodides, bromides, and specific aryl chlorides. Mechanistic studies indicate that the Cs 2 CO 3 /DMSO system induces the formation of an aryl radical, which reacts with dehydrogenated acetonitrile via a single‐electron transfer (SET) reaction. Subsequently, under the action of oxygen in air, oxidation occurs, leading to the cleavage of the CCN bond and rearrangement, thereby forming diaryl ketone.