-MeC 6 H 4 ) 3 ) 2 (7 mg, 0.009 mmol) in benzene (0.8 ml) were heated at reflux for 2 hr under nitrogen. The resulting black solution was diluted with ether and treated briefly with 1 N NaOH under vigorous stirring. The aqueous layer was extracted with ether and the combined extracts were dried. Removal of the solvent followed by column chromatography on silica gel afforded the aldol, 1-hydroxy-6-methyl-1-phenyl-3-heptanone (47 mg, 71%).