Herein we present an efficient carbonylative protocol for the introduction of an alkyl-acyl group into heteroarenes from cyclobutanone oximes. In the presence of Fe(OTf)(2) catalyst, proceeds via intermolecular alkyl-acylation of different heteroarenes. A broad range of alkyl heteroaryl ketones are synthesized with excellent functional group tolerance with good chemoselectivity. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.