Question

(Ph)2CO (ketone with 2 phenyl substituents) + EtO2C-CH2-CH2-CO2Et are the starting materials, KOt-Bu and heat are added. The product formed is : (Ph)2C- -C-(CO2Et)(CH2-CO2K)

(The 2nd carbon of the double bond is bonded to CO2K ad CO2Et, they are not bonded to each other)

( - - means double bond)

Show the mechanism.

( I apologize for the wierd format, I cannot figure out how to do structures on here)

Answer 1

First base removes proton from diester then nucleophilie Addition to keotne.

Followed by Elimination reaction