Facile preparation of deoxybenzoins via a novel synthesis of enamines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)74286-9

N-Aryl(or alkyl)-N-benzylanilines and benzylideneaniline condense in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of potassium t-butoxide to give enamines in good yields. Hydrolysis of the latter give deoxybenzoin with 100% conversion.