Manganese complex-catalysed α-alkylation of ketones with secondary alcohols enables the synthesis of β-branched carbonyl compounds.

Herein, β-branched carbonyl compounds were synthesised via the α-alkylation of ketones with secondary alcohols under "borrowing hydrogen" catalysis. A wide range of secondary alcohols, including various cyclic, acyclic, symmetrical, and unsymmetrical alcohols, have been successfully applied under the developed reaction conditions. A manganese(i) complex bearing a phosphine-free multifunctional ligand catalysed the reaction and produced water as the sole byproduct.