The preparation of several 6-alkyl-6-carbalkoxy-2, 4-cyclohexadien-l-ones and corresponding C (1) ketals is described. Birch reduction-alkylation of methyl 2- methoxybenzoates gives 6-alkyl-6-carbomethoxy-1-meth-oxy-l, 4cyclohexadienea 4a-e and 5a4, and these are converted to bromo ketals 12 and 13, respectively, by treatment with N- bromoacetamide in methanol. Base-catalyzed dehydrobrominations of the bromo ketals ...
