Direct α‐Alkylation of Ketones with Alcohols in Water

Abstract The direct α‐alkylation of ketones with alcohols has emerged as a new green protocol to construct CC bonds with H 2 O as the sole byproduct. In this work, a very simple and convenient Pd/C catalytic system for the direct α‐alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols in pure water is developed. Based on this catalytic system, aqueous mixtures of dilute acetone, 1‐butanol, and ethanol (mimicking ABE fermentation products) can be directly transformed into C 5 –C 11 or longer‐chain ketones and alcohols, which are precursors to fuels.