Abstract
Benzophenone, acetophenone, p‐methoxyacetophenone, benzaldehyde, and anisaldehyde are reduced stepwise polarographically in anhydrous dimethylformamide. Large‐scale electrolytic reduction of benzophenone indicates that the ketyl anion is formed as a stable intermediate since, in the presence of carbon dioxide and ethyl iodide, benzilic acid and diphenylethylcarbinol are formed, respectively. Acetophenone, benzaldehyde, and anisaldehyde form principally pinacols under these conditions. The reduction of p‐methoxyacetophenone is complicated by tar formation.