This report describes the synthesis of β-hydroxy esters in good yields by reaction of α-aryl substituted ketones and phenylethanal with lithium methyl acetate and derivatives as anionoid reagents. The incomplete substrate conversion is ascribed to the enolate formation of the α-aryl carbonyl compounds, which concurrent reaction is negligibly small with aliphatic carbonyl compounds. The conversion of β-tetralone with lithium methyl acetate ...