The lithium-liquid ammonia reduction and reduction-methylation of 3-buten-2-one derivatives trans-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one (la j, 3-methyl-4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one (lb), and 4- methyl-3-penten-2-one (IC) have been investigated. In each case the only monomethylation product obtained was derived from the specific lithium enolate generated reductively. Unlike 2-cyclohexenone derivatives, open-chain enones la-lc also gave much polymethylation, ...
