The alkylation of the enolate of ketone A is very difficult to stop before the dialkylation occurs, as indicated below. Show how the monoalkylated ketone B could be obtained.

statement

SOLUTION:

To avoid polyalkylations we can use an alkylation with enamines. Another method is to form a ketoester, alkylate, and decarboxylate.

alkylation-solution-with-3-ketoesters