An efficient photo-Favorskii rearrangement of α-chloroketones for the synthesis of 2-arylpropionic acids

2-Arylpropionic acids, exemplified by ibuprofen, are important structural motifs widely found in bioactive molecules and pharmaceutical agents, and their industrial synthesis is therefore of considerable significance. Herein, we report a systematic study of the photo-Favorskii rearrangement synthesis of 2-arylpropionic acids using zinc acetate as a cost-effective, readily available, and environmentally benign acid scavenger. Under mild visible-light irradiation conditions, this protocol enables efficient conversion of α-chloroketones into the corresponding 2-arylpropionic acids, delivering moderate to good yields across a broad range of more than 11 substrates. This work demonstrates the potential of zinc acetate for sustainable organic synthesis and provides an environmentally benign, efficient strategy for the preparation of valuable carboxylic acid derivatives.