WORK since the last reviews of the subject 1 y has been concerned chiefly with the exploitation of metal-nmine solutions in synthesis and in the investigation of natural products. Theoretical developments have been mainly incidental and have added little to what was already 1mown.l We are here concerned with the practical aspects but an appreciation of the theoretical background is essential for use of the reagents to the best purpose, since variations in technique are possible. So references to theoretical aspects are made below where necessary, but overlapping with earlier reviews has been avoided as far as possible.

The action of potassium tert.-butoxide in liquid aminonia on acetophenone and o-methoxyacetophenone gives the corresponding enolates, which are not reduced by the further action of potassium and tert.-butanol in liquid ammonia. The factors involved in the protection against hydrogenolysis of the hydroxyl group of alcohols of cr-methylbenzyl alcohol type are discussed. Reduction with sodium and methanol in liquid a-mmonia of 2-methyl-2phenyl-1 : 3-dioxolan and the 0-, wz-, and 9-methoxy-derivatives gives ethylbenzene and the corresponding ethylanisoles, which can undergo further reduction in the aromatic nucleus. The mechanism of these reductions is discussed. The same reagent completely hydrogenolyses 2-methyl-2-phenyl-1 : 3-oxathiolan.

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Rogers avtd Smith. 341 2-Acylcyclohexane-l : 3-diones. Part I P 2-Formyl-, 2-PropionyE-, 2-iso-Butyryl-, and 2-Phenylmrbamoyl-cyclohexane-l : %&one, and their Conversion into Phenant h r id ines.* " 2-Acetylcyrlohexane-1 : 3-dione," Smith, J . , 1953, 803, is regarded as Part 1 of this series.