α-Methylation of Ketones with Methanol Catalyzed by Ni/SiO2-Al2O3

Abstract

α-Methylation of ketones with methanol catalyzed by a cheap and easy to handle Ni/SiO2-Al2O3 was explored. After optimization of the reaction between propiophenone and methanol, the desired product was obtained in 95 % isolated yield. A wide range of ketones was methylated under the optimized conditions (16 examples). This procedure was extended to a three-component cross-benzylation-methylation of acetophenone.