The cross-coupling reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with primary alcohols to give 2-hydroxymethyl ketones was achieved using RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3 as a catalyst. This atom-economical reaction is likely to proceed via the hydroruthenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes followed by an aldol reaction of the resultant enolates with aldehydes to give α-formylated ketones, which undergo transfer hydrogenation