One-pot synthesis of α-methyl ketones starting from 1,3-diaryl propenols or 1-aryl propenols and methanol as a C1 source is demonstrated. This one-pot isomerization-methylation is catalyzed by commercially available Pd(OAc)2 with H2O as the only by-product. Mechanistic studies and deuterium labelling experiments indicate the involvement of isomerization of allyl alcohol followed by methylation through