• Addition of triethylamine enables the reaction of Grignard reagents with esters to be interrupted at the ketone stage. Deuterium-labelling shows that this is caused by enolization of the ketone. Good yields are obtained unless the ester itself is readily enolized: Synthesis, 877 (1980).
• The apparent base strength of triethylamine has been increased by its use in combination with certain metal salts, examined by Rathke. For the acylation of malonic esters with acyl chlorides, MgCl2 was found to be effective, whereas other metal salts had no effect: J. Org. Chem., 50, 2622 (1985); Synth. Commun., 15, 1039 (1985); Tetrahedron, 48, 9233 (1993). For the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination reaction, LiBr or LiCl gave the best results under most conditions, although Mg salts showed some effect; other metal salts were ineffective: J. Org. Chem., 50, 2624 (1985).