Catalyst-free dehydrative α-alkylation of ketones with alcohols: Green and selective autocatalyzed synthesis of alcohols and ketones

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.201308642

Direct dehydrative α-alkylation reactions of ketones with alcohols are now realized under simple, practical, and green conditions without using external catalysts. These catalyst-free autocatalyzed alkylation methods can efficiently afford useful alkylated ketone or alcohol products in a one-pot manner and on a large scale by Ci￡C bond formation of the in situ generated intermediates with subsequent controllable and selective Meerwein-Pondorf-Verley-Oppenauer-type redox processes. Plain and simple: The title reaction has been realized under simple and practical conditions without using external catalysts, and can afford alkylated ketone or alcohol products in a one-pot manner and on a large scale. The reaction proceeds by Ci￡C bond formation of the in situ generated intermediates with subsequent controllable and selective Meerwein-Pondorf-Verley-Oppenauer-type redox processes. Copyright