Mild acylation of c(sp³)−H and c(sp²)−H bonds under redox-Neutral Rh(III) catalysis

Carbonyl groups are ubiquitous in functional molecules. Although C−H bond acylation has been well-studied via different mechanisms, transition-metal-catalyzed redox-neutral C(sp³)−H acylation under mild conditions is unprecedented. In this work, ketene is designed as a acylating reagent for both C(sp³)−H and C(sp²)−H bonds under Rh(III) catalysis, affording a diverse array of carbonyl compounds in high yields and high atom economy under mild conditions.