Arene hydrides, 4. Reaction of anthracene hydride (anion of 9,10‐dihydroanthracene) with diaryl ketones. Base‐induced fragmentation of the carbonyl adduct

With benzophenone (1a) and fluorenone (1b) anthracene hydride (AH−) rapidly forms the anions 3a, b of the corresponding tertiary alcohols 4a, b, the intense colour of the reaction mixture indicating the presence of the ketyls 2a, b. Excess of AH− converts 3a, b into the diarylcarbinols. a mechanism is proposed for this ketone reduction.