Abstract Nickel acetylacetonate brings about the conjugate addition of trimethylaluminium to α, β-unsaturated ketones. The yields of β-methylated ketones range from 30% to quantitative. At the same time, catalysis of 1, 2-addition of trimethylaluminium to the α, β- unsaturated ketones also occurs (leading to allylic alcohols). The conjugate addition has been applied to 1, 3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one, cyclohex-2-en-1-one, 3-methylcyclohex-2- ...
