Reductive methylation of 1-carbomethoxy-4, 6-dimethoxynaphthalene in anhydrous ammonia gave 1-methyl-1-carbomethoxy-6-methoxy-1, 4-dihydronaphthalene in good yield. Metal ammonia reduction of the ketones 12 and 18 provided an expedient pathway for the synthesis of the α,β-unsaturated ketones 17 and 19 respectively.