Direct Access to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones via Rh/MgCl2-Mediated Acylation of Vinylsilanes.

We report herein the facile and practical construction of α,β-unsaturated ketones via rhodium-catalyzed direct acylation of vinylsilanes with readily available and abundant carboxylic acids. This protocol features access to a diverse array of synthetically useful functionalities with moderate to excellent yields. More importantly, the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals was also realized with synthetically useful yield.