Manganese Catalyzed Hydrogen Autotransfer C C Bond Formation: a Alkylation of Ketones with Primary Alcohols.
A novel catalytic hydrogen autotransfer protocol for the atom efficient a alkylation of ketones with readily available alcohols is presented. The use of manganese complexes bearing non innocent PNP pincer ligands enabled the functionalization of a broad range of valuable ketones, including 2 oxindole, estrone 3 methyl ether, and testosterone. Mechanistic investigations suggest the participation of an intramolecular amidate assisted alcohol dehydrogenation process.
Angewandte Chemie