Directα-alkylation of unactivatedketones using benzylic alcohols as electrophiles has been achieved at room temperature. This reaction takes place via in situ formed acetal using triflic acid and trimethyl orthoformate. It is believed that methyl vinyl ether formed from the in situ generated dimethyl acetal in the presence of triflic acid undergoes alkylation. Diverse ketones could be alkylated with
A practically simple and direct α‐alkylation of unactivatedketones using benzylic alcohols has been achieved. The in situ formed acetals are the key for the success of the reaction. The catalyst, silver hexafluoroantimonate(V) (AgSbF6) provides double activation by converting the ketone into an enol ether via acetal and generation of carbocationic center at the benzylic position of the benzylic alcohol