Ruthenium-Catalyzed Regioselectiveα-Alkylation of Ketones: The First Alkyl-Group Transfer from Trialkylamines to theα-C Atom of Ketones

A new reaction: A ruthenium-catalyzed transfer of an alkyl group from a trialkylamine to the α-carbon atom of a ketone leads in good yields to α-alkylated ketones [Eq. (1)]. The reaction is applicable to a wide range of alkyl(alkyl), alkyl(aryl), and cyclic ketones, and in the case of unsymmetrical ketones it takes place regioselectively at the less hindered α-position.