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

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.