“…For example, C-alkylation of active methylene compounds like activated benzylic nitriles, activated hydrocarbons, and activated ketones under PTC/OH-conditions has been pioneered by Makosza (1975Makosza ( , 1977, and is widely used in a large number of useful organic reactions. Other advantages of these reactions is an increased selectivity in some cases (Dehmlow, 1995). For example, in carbene reactions in the presence of 50% NaOH, hydrolysis of the organic substrate is prevented due to phase separation.…”