A convenient method for the direct ɑ-methylenation of ketones involving reaction with formaldehede, in the presence of N-Methyl-anilinium trifluoroacetate, is illustrated for this ketone: Org. Synth. Coll., 7, 332 (1990). Reacts with arenes under Friedel-Crafts conditions to give 6-aryl-1-tetralones: J. Org. Chem., 55, 4036 (1990). The use of the selective reduction system in liquid ammonia is illustrated by the clean reduction of 1-tetralone to the alcohol without over-reduction to tetralin or reduction of the aromatic ring: J. Org. Chem., 61, 1493 (1996).