1 RX is best. 3 RX give only elimination. 2 RX give poor to moderate yields. Stereochemistry of enolate alkylation. Decarboxylation Ethyl Esters can be decarboxylated directly at high temperature.
Cleavage sometimes competes with saponification.
Normally alkylation goes in the direction of the most substituted enolate which leads to the more substituted product. Protecting groups can make this a cleaner reaction. Activating groups can also be attached to help direct alkylation and then removed. Reactive ease of hydrolysis back to ketone. Some examples Dialkylation can occur.