Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Synthesis of Aromatic Ketones via Direct C-H Bond Activation

There are several alternative methods to Friedel-Crafts acylation for the synthesis of ketones. Among these methods, transition-metal-catalyzed acylation of arenes via C-H bond cleavage represents a direct and promising approach to access ketones, in view of the advantages of C-H bond activation; recent advances in the development of this area are summarized.