Provided herein are methods for preparing ketone-containing organic molecules. The methods are based on novel iron/copper-mediated (“Fe/Cu-mediated”) coupling reactions. The Fe/Cu-mediated coupling reaction can be used in the preparation of complex molecules, such as halichondrins and analogs thereof. In particular, the Fe/Cu-mediated ketolization reactions described herein are useful in the preparation of intermediates en route to halichondrins.; 展开▼