# Direct Synthesis of α‑Amino Ketones via Photochemical Nickel-Catalyzed Acyl–Aryl Cross-Coupling

## TL;DR

A new method uses light and nickel to efficiently create α-amino ketones from amino acids and aryl bromides, with potential uses in medicine and forensics.

## Contribution

A novel photochemical nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling method for synthesizing α-amino ketones is introduced.

## Key findings

- The method works efficiently under mild conditions, especially with electron-deficient aryl bromides.
- The reaction provides insights into the competition between ketone formation and decarbonylation pathways.
- The protocol allows for the easy preparation of cathinone derivatives.

## Abstract

We report a direct method for synthesizing α-amino
arylketones
via photochemical nickel-catalyzed acyl–aryl cross-coupling
of α-amino acid-derived aldehydes with aryl bromides. The reaction
proceeds efficiently under mild conditions, particularly with electron-deficient
aryl bromides, and provides mechanistic insights into the competition
between ketone formation and decarbonylation pathways. The protocol
further enables the straightforward preparation of cathinone derivatives,
highlighting its synthetic versatility and potential in medicinal
and forensic chemistry.