Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) is one of the most widely produced and used aliphatic ketones worldwide. The one-step MIBK process with no intermediate separation steps using multifunctional catalysts is an important development towards greener organic synthesis and generates tremendous interest among the researcher across the globe. The single step process is facile and more economically viable and has provided opportunity to develop new and improved catalyst systems capable of operating under mild conditions. A widely variety of catalytic systems have been used in one-step process during last three to four decades. The progress in one-pot synthesis of MIBK using different multifunctional catalysts with special reference to layered based catalysts was critically reviewed in this article.
