Selective Ketone Formations via Cobalt-Catalyzed β-Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols.

A homogeneous cobalt-catalyzed β-alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols to selectively synthesize ketones via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling is reported for the first time. Notably, this transformation is environmentally benign and atom economical with water and hydrogen gas as the only byproducts.