Entry R R1 Base Complex Yield(%) 1 H -CH3 KOH 2a 75 2 H -CH3 KOH 2b 88 3 H -CH3 KOH 2c 70 4 H -CH3 KOH 2d 71 5 H -CH3 KOH 2e 70 6 H -CH3 KOH 2f 72 7 MeO -CH3 KOH 2a 80 8 MeO -CH3 KOH 2b 70 9 MeO -CH3 KOH 2c 81 10 MeO -CH3 KOH 2d 78 11 MeO -CH3 KOH 2e 74 12 MeO -CH3 KOH 2f 68 13 F -CH3 KOH 2a 82 14 F -CH3 KOH 2b 72 15 F -CH3 KOH 2c 86 16 F -CH3 KOH 2d 73 17 F -CH3 KOH 2e 87 18 F -CH3 KOH 2f 89 19b H -C6H5 KOH 2a 94 20b H -C6H5 KOH 2b 97 21b H -C6H5 KOH 2c 99 22b H -C6H5 KOH 2d 98 23b H -C6H5 KOH 2e 98 24b H -C6H5 KOH 2f 96

Table 3: Transfer hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by 2a-f. aDetermined by GCMS and yields are based on ketones. b2h, 80°C.