From selective transfer hydrogenation to selective hydrogen auto-transfer process: An efficient method for the synthesis of alkenyl ketones via iridium-catalyzed α-alkylation of ketones with alkenyl alcohols

A strategy for the synthesis of alkenyl ketones via the α-alkylation of ketones with alkenyl ketones has proposed and accomplished. In the presence of a metal–ligand bifunctional catalyst [Cp*Ir(2,2′-bpyO)(H2O)], a series of desirable products were obtained in high yields. Mechanistic investigation revealed that functional groups in the ligand are crucial for the activity of catalyst and selective transfer hydrogenation is the determining step of the formation of alkenyl ketones as products. Notably, the present research exhibited also the unique potential of metal–ligand bifunctional catalysts for the activation of unsaturated alcohols as electrophiles for hydrogen auto-transfer process.