Abstract: In a process for C-alkylation or N-alkylation, the improvement comprising conducting the C-alkylation or N-alkylation reaction in the presence of a slightly nucleophilic strong base of the following formula wherein R′1, R′2 and R′3 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and R′ and R″ are individually selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, aryl and aralkyl of 1 to 6 alkyl carbon atoms, the substituents being selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, —CN, —NO2 and dialkylamino of 1 to 6 alkyl carbon atoms, the aryl being selected from the group consisting of unsaturated monocyclic and condensed carbocyclic and heterocyclic with at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxy