Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling for synthesis of key intermediates of ketoprofen and bifonazole analogues

Aromatic ketones are important compounds because of their utility as synthetic intermediates, because they have importan applications as light absorbing compounds and for the biological activities, for instance. Suzuki coupling reaction is a C-C bond forming procedure catalyzed by palladium species under a basic medium. In this reaction, a halide or pseudohalide reacts with electrophiles and a zerovalent palladium specie (nucleophile) initiates the catalytic cycle. Bifonazole (antifungal) and Ketoprofen (antinflamatory) are commercial drugs having aryl ketones as synthetic intermediates. Acyl chlorides can be used as electrophiles in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings and, in this case, their reaction with arylboronic acids results in aryl ketones. Considering the synthesis of intermediates that can generate the medicines mentioned above as well as their analogous, in this work, selectivity in Suzuki coupling reactions between acid chlorides and boronic acids, the catalytic system for such reactions and other aspects such as the use of conventional heating or microwave irradiation are studied. Intermediates of interest are: 4-bromobenzophenone, 4-phenylbenzophenone and 3-bromobenzophenone.