Decarboxylation with Carbon Monoxide: The Direct Conversion of Carboxylic Acids into Potent Acid Triflate Electrophiles.

We report a new strategy for the conversion of carboxylic acids into potent acid triflate electrophiles. The reaction involves oxidative carbonylation of carboxylic acids with I2 in the presence of AgOTf, and is postulated to proceed via acyl hypoiodites that react with CO to form acid triflates. Coupling this chemistry with subsequent trapping with arenes offers a mild, room temperature approach to generate ketones directly from broadly available carboxylic acids without the use of corrosive and reactive Lewis or Bronsted acid additives, and instead from compounds that are readily available, stable, and functional group compatible.