Novel synthetic route to aryl alkanes from aromatic aldehydes and ketones. Novel geminal dialkylation of the carbonyl group of aromatic aldehydes and ketones

Abstract

Benzyl-lithiums, readily available from benzyl methyl selenides and alkyl-lithiums, are efficiently alkylated; this reaction allows the geminal dialkylation of the carbonyl groups of aromatic aldehydes and ketones and the geminal aryl–alkylation of aliphatic analogues.