Abstract The reaction of sec-butyllithium with acrolein dialkyl acetals in THF or in THF/Et 2 O/pentane at-95 C results in formation of gem-dialkoxyallyllithium reagents, Li [CH 2 CHC (OR) 2]. These react with organosilicon and organotin chlorides to give ketene acetals, R 3 SiCH 2 CH C (OR) 2 and R 3 SnCH 2 CH C (OR) 2. The acid hydrolysis of these products produces β-substituted propionic acid esters, R 3 SiCH 2 CH 2 CO 2 R and R 3 SnCH 2 ...