Bis(benzotriazolyl)methylbenzenes la,b were converted by excess lithiu
m metal in the presence of ketones into the 1,3-diols 3a-g in moderate
to good yields. However, similar treatment of 5 gave only the mono re
duction products 6, 7. Compounds la,b reacted with 1 equivalent of dik
etone 8 to form olefins 10a,b. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ
ts reserved.