The reaction of4-lithio-2, 2-dimethyl-1, 3-oxathiane 3, 3-dioxide with various electrophiles is presented. Acylation of the anion provided labile 4-acyl-2, 2-dimethyl-1, 3-oxathiane 3, 3- dioxides which underwent desulfonation with silica gel to produce y-hydroxy ketones with three carbon unit elongation. Thus, 4-lithio-2, 2-dimethyl-1, 3-oxathiane 3, 3-dioxide was shown to be a useful synthetic equivalent of a y-hydroxypropyl anion. Methyl esters ...