Condensation of Ketones and t-ButyI Haloacetates in the Presence of Aluminum or Lithium

The Reformatsky reaction with t-butyl haloacetate could be effected in the presence of lithium or aluminum, but the latter metal proved to be disappointing as a condensing agent. Condensation of benzophenone with t-butyl chloroacetate and bromoacetate in the presence of lithium gave corresponding β-hydroxy esters in yields of 43 and 58%, respectively, and comparable with those of other condensing methods.