Aromatic ketones are directly alkylated at α position with primary alcohols at 110°C in the presence of catalytic amount of KOH and [Cp∗IrCl₂]₂ (Cp∗=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) catalyst. The reaction is carried out in the absence of any solvent or additive, which generates only water as the byproduct in theory. It is very efficient and generally completed in 10 min in good isolated yields. The reaction is believed to undergo successive hydrogen transfer and cross aldol condensation processes.