Since the first synthesis of a ketene through the reaction of α-chlorodiphenylacetyl chloride with elemental zinc by Staudinger in 1905, ketenes have become versatile reagents and intermediates in synthetic chemistry. Owing to the cumulated C=C and C=O double bonds, ketenes are usually reactive species, which readily react with different nucleophiles. Therefore, they serve as platform to a variety of carbonyl containing compounds, including carboxylic acids, esters or amides as well as β-lactams and lactones. Moreover, ketenes are important intermediates in many name reactions, e.g. the Arndt Eistert reaction or Staudinger synthesis and in industrial processes such as for the production of sorbic acid or alkyl ketene dimers used in the paper industry. Over the years, various synthetic methods have been developed to access ketenes, including the pyrolysis of carbonyl compounds, the carbonylation of carbenes or metal carbenes or the Wolff rearrangement of diazoketones. However, many of these protocols suffer from low yields and selectivities, the need for harsh reaction conditions, the sensitivity of the starting materials or limitations regarding substrate scope. Therefore, further strategies are needed to unleash the potential of ketenes.