The regioselectivity of the addition of the lithium trienediolates generated from hexa-2, 4dienoic acids 1 and 2 or the dihydropyran-2ones 4 and 5 to unsaturated ketones 6 is studied. Equilibration conditions favour reaction of the trienediolates through their ω carbon, and the ketones according to 1, 2-and 1, 4-additions. β-Ionone 6a and the aryl-butenone 6b lead to the 1, 2-ω-adducts 8, which undergo a facile acid catalyzed dehydration to retmoic ...