The kinetically controlled methylation of conjugated polycyclic ketones

Addition at very low temperature of potassium t-butoxide to a solution of an α,β-unsaturated ketone and methyl iodide in tetrahydrofuran allows methylation at the methylenic position α′, via the kinetic enolate. The reaction leads easily to the α′-gem-dimethylated product, but it has been shown, that the reaction can be stopped at the α′-monoalkylated compound.