Abstract Various organometallic compounds are treated with 1-acetoxy-1, 2, 2- triethoxyethane (1) an asymmetric derivative of glyoxal. Two kinds of reactions are observed depending on the nature of the organometallic reagents. Organolithium compounds give exclusively addition to the ester carbonyl group, while organocuprate derivatives lead to substitution of the acetoxy group. With Grignard reagents both reactions occur, the ...