α-Arylation of ketones by aryllead triacetates. Effect of methyl and phenyl substitution at the α position

An examination of the α-arylation of a number of ketones and their enolate salts by p-methoxyphenyllead triacetate provides further evidence for a very marked selectivity in the arylation reaction. It is found that the reaction proceeds well at tertiary α-carbons and at secondary centres activated by the presence of a phenyl group, but fails where the secondary centre is unactivated and at primary α-carbons.