The reaction of aldehydes or ketones with metal enolates is one of the most important reactions in organic synthesis. 1 Methods for the preparation of metal enolates have therefore been extensively studied, which include deprotonation of carbonyl compounds, reduction of α-halo carbonyl compounds, 2 and 1,4-addition of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. 3 Metal-catalyzed retro-aldol reaction of β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds is a potentially useful and ...