N‑Heterocyclic-Carbene-Catalyzed C–H Acylation via Radical Relay

A method of N-fluorocarboxamide-directed N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC)-catalyzed benzylic C–H acylation with aldehydes via the hydrogen atom transfer strategy is disclosed. This transformation involves a sequence of single-electron transfer, 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer, and radical cross-coupling steps. This method offers facile access to various highly functionalized ketones and exhibits good chemical yields and functional group tolerance.