An efficient catalytic protocol for the three-component assembly of benzyl bromides, carbon monoxide, and alkyl zinc reagents to give benzyl alkyl ketones is described, and represents the first nickel-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of two sp3 -carbon fragments. The method, which relies on the application of nickel complexed with an NN2 -type pincer ligand and a controlled release of CO gas from a solid precursor, works well with a range of benzylic bromides. Mechanistic studies suggest the intermediacy of carbon-centered radicals.
