Reactions of Active Methylene Compounds with Benzhydrol During Solvolysis in Formic Acid

Abstract

Formic acid reacts with benzhydrol to give benzhydryl formate, which reacts with active methylene compounds in refluxing formic acid to give either C-alkylation or Ritter reaction products. The product formed is determined by the equilibrium enol content of the active methylene compound. These reaction conditions avoid the use of halogenated reaction solvents, and the pure products are isolated without recourse to chromatography.