When an acetic acid solution of the carbinol IIa, obtained by the reaction of 4-p-anisylhexan- 3-one with p-anisyllithium, is shaken with hydrogen in the presence of a palladium black catalyst there is a rapid uptake of hydrogen with reductive elimination of the benzyl-type4 hydroxyl group. The reduction of this presumably erythr~',~ carbinol takes place stereospecifically and apparently with retention of configuration to give in 73% yield ...
