Abstract The kinetics of the reactions between eleven carbanions 2a–k (nitronates and malonic acid derivatives) and benzhydrylium ions 1a–g were investigated photometrically in methanol/acetonitrile (91: 9, v/v) at 20 C. Since the competing reactions of the benzhydrylium ions with methanol and methoxide ions are generally slower, the second- order rate constants of the reactions between the benzhydrylium ions 1a–g and the ...