The C-alkylation reaction of three reductive alkylating agents prepared from 2- methylanthraquinone by 2-nitropropane anion is shown to proceed by the SRN1 mechanism. The SRN1 mechanism is confirmed by the leaving group effect and the inhibitory effects of dioxygen, p-dinitrobenzene, cupric chloride and di-tert-butylnitroxide. This reaction can be extended to 1-methyl-3-nitropyrrolidin-2-one anion.
