Application of electrogenerated triphenylmethyl anion as a base for alkylation of arylacetic esters and arylacetonitriles and isomerization of allylbenzenes

Abstract

Phenylacetic esters and phenylacetonitriles were alkylated with alkyl halides, at the position α to an ester or nitrile, either at room temperature (20 °C) or at −78 °C, by making use of electrogenerated triphenylmethyl anion (trityl anion). Double-bond isomerization of allylbenzenes was also effectively accomplished by use of this electrogenerated base (EGB).