The present invention relates to a method for producing an α-aryl substituted carbonyl compound (e.g., an α-aryl substituted cyclic ketone) from a carbonyl compound (e.g., a cyclic ketone) using an aryl halide or a heteroaryl halide and a photocatalyst (e.g., acridinium, helicenium, angulenium, or a combination thereof) in the presence of an amine compound. The method of the present invention is particularly useful in producing an α-aryl substituted carbonyl compound (e.g., an α-aryl substituted cyclic ketone) from an unactivated carbonyl compound (e.g., an unactivated cyclic ketone).