An extensive range of functionalized aliphatic ketones with good functional-group tolerance has been prepared by a NiI-promoted coupling of either primary or secondary alkyl iodides with NN2 pincer NiII-acyl complexes. The latter were easily accessed from the corresponding NiII-alkyl complexes with stoichiometric CO. This Ni-mediated carbonylative coupling is adaptable to late-stage carbon isotope labeling, as illustrated by the preparation of isotopically labelled pharmaceuticals. Preliminary investigations suggest the intermediacy of carbon-centered radicals.
