Mn(ii)-catalysed alkylation of methylene ketones with alcohols: direct access to functionalised branched products

Abstract

Herein an operationally simple alkylation of methylene ketones with primary alcohols is reported. Use of an inexpensive and earth abundant Mn/1,10-phenanthroline system enables direct access to a series of functionalised branched ketones including one-pot sequential double alkylation and Alzheimer's drug donepezil. Preliminary mechanistic investigation, determination of the rate and order of reactions and deuterium labeling experiments support the participation of the hydrogen-borrowing strategy for the ketone alkylation.