Table 3. Addition of lithium N-methylanilide 2a to various esters 1a–m ^a .

^aReactions performed in air at ambient temperature using 1 g of solvent and 1 mmol of ester. Reactions stirred for 20 s, then quenched with sat. Rochelle's salt soln. (5 mL). Lithium amide 2a was added as a 1 M soln. in 2-MeTHF. Isolated yields are given.