title: Rhodium-catalyzed ketone methylation using methanol under mild conditions: formation of α-branched products.
abstract: The rhodium-catalyzed methylation of ketones has been accomplished using methanol as the methylating agent and the hydrogen-borrowing method. The sequence is notable for the relatively low temperatures that are required and for the ability of the reaction system to form α-branched products with ease. Doubly alkylated ketones can be prepared from methyl ketones and two different alcohols by using a sequential one-pot iridium- and rhodium-catalyzed process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA (UK).
authors.forename: Louis K M
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Darren L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Donohoe
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D007495:Iridium / Q000737:chemistry; D007659:Ketones / Q000737:chemistry*; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D008745:Methylation; D012238:Rhodium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D007659:Ketones; D007495:Iridium; D012238:Rhodium; D000432:Methanol
keywords: homogeneous catalysis; hydrogen borrowing; ketones; methanol