Ambient-pressure highly active hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes catalyzed by a metal-ligand bifunctional iridium catalyst under base-free conditions in water

•Catalytic hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones was carried in water.•Method was achieved under atmospheric-pressure H2 gas and ambient temperature conditions.•The catalyst exhibited high activity without a base.•A series of substituents were well tolerated under optimal reaction conditions.