Synthesis of arylketones by ruthenium-catalyzed cross-coupling of aldehydes with arylboronic acids.

The first ruthenium-catalyzed cross-coupling of aldehydes with arylboronic acids is reported. Various aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes are transformed to the corresponding arylketones. A total of 31 examples with moderate to excellent yields are presented, together with the results of an initial mechanistic investigation.