α‐Arylation of Carbonyl Compounds through Oxidative C−C Bond Activation

A synthetically useful approach for the direct α‐arylation of carbonyl compounds through a novel oxidative C?C bond activation is reported. This mechanistically unusual process relies on a 1,2‐aryl shift and results in all‐carbon quaternary centers. The transformation displays broad functional‐group tolerance and can in principle also be applied as an asymmetric variant.