The reaction of 1, 2-bis (4-methyl-l-naphthyl) ethane with Li, Na, and K in ammonia, THF, and HMPA, or mixtures thereof, has been examined with respect to the factors favoring Birch reduction of the aromatic ring and cleavage of the ethane carbon-carbon bond. Bond cleavage was found to increase relative to ring reduction in the series Li< Na< K and with the solvents NH3< THF< HMPA. However, the latter position of ammonia may be due to ...