Abstract β-Alkoxy ketones were prepared by a one-pot three-component reaction of aliphatic aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols catalyzed by l-proline. Steric effects on the reaction were studied with substituted ketones, aldehydes, and alcohols, and the results indicate that reactions employing methyl ketones, α-unsubstituted aliphatic aldehydes and methanol produce the β-alkoxy ketones in the best yields when l-proline is used as the catalyst. The ...