The direct alkylation of silyl enol ethers with para-methoxybenzylic alcohols or their corresponding acetates was efficiently catalyzed by Bi (OTf) 3 in CH3NO2 as the solvent. The reaction provided the α-benzylated carbonyl compounds in high yields after short reaction times using 1–2.5 mol% of the catalyst. Benzylic acetates other than para- methoxybenzylic acetates also underwent the reaction. High facial diastereoselectivities ...